It is now evident that though the Luos are not documented to have raised any notable resistance against the British colonialists, they indeed put up some resistance.
The British began their encroachment into the Kenyan boundaries in 1885 and by 1890, were busy building a railway joining Kenya and Uganda through the Imperial British East Africa Company.
According to historian AT Mason’s book ‘The Volcano Erupts: Nandi Resistance Against British Rule’, the construction ignited a bitter disagreement between Luos and the British.
Using the forceful and bullish mode of operation, the colonialists ended up forcing the Luos of Uyoma, Seme, Gem and Sakwa to offer additional labour to the Indian coolies doing the tough job.
And in retaliation, they reacted by raiding several British camps killing several railway workers in resistance.
Also, the British forcefully took away cattle for the Luo of Uyoma to reward their allied Africans, the biggest beneficiary being Chief Lenana of the Maasai for his collaboration.
Matson notes that Lenana was rewarded with 30 cows and 5 bulls taken from the Luo of Uyoma as a show of gratitude for not allowing his people to join fellow Africans in resisting British operations.
This was in addition to the Luo land forcefully taken away for the railway construction, British camps and those of their workers.
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