The kipande was first introduced in 1915, but was only implemented four years later. Its introduction coincided with the return of the white soldiers who had participated in the war. The returning soldiers were feted by the East African Protectorate’s government and given huge chunks of land as a reward. To help them engage in viable farming, the government formulated policies that made it easier for them to access cheap labour. One of these policies was the kipande system, which required Africans to wear the kipande around their necks like a dog collar.
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