II Early Nairobi: The Immigrants
Nairobi was founded in 1899 as a bridgehead on the Uganda Railway. Within the short period of time, Nairobi experienced population growth. As a result, in 1911, men outnumbered women in the ratio of six to one. According to the Nairobi written in 1911, the first prostitution in the town happened beside the Nairobi River residencies. At the border of the swamp, there were houses. These houses were owned by the Indians and were occupied by prostitutes who were paying rent to Indians. Majority of these women were from either Kikuyu or Kalenjih
The prostitutes leaved their rural home to come to Nairobi. There are four cases: marital discord, quarrels with parents, widowhood, and childlessness. The Lnhya woman ran away from her husband because he was beating up her. The other woman ran away from her father because her father forced her into marriage with someone she does not love. In addition, the widows came to Nairobi because they do not have any martial support; thus, they have to support themselves. The case coming with husband or parents was considered rare in Nairobi.
Women like men were affected by the disturbed conditions of life in many parts of east Africa in the last few decades of the nineteenth century. The colonial intrusion was only a part of the prolonged catastrophe. Disastrous drought, famine, and epidemics of rinderpeset and small pox ruined the life of the humans. For example, the Kamba were hit from epidemic, a famine, and a locust invasion. The aggravating effect of the disaster can be observed from the description from the women who came to Nairobi in the early days:
The prostitutes leaved their rural home to come to Nairobi. There are four cases: marital discord, quarrels with parents, widowhood, and childlessness. The Lnhya woman ran away from her husband because he was beating up her. The other woman ran away from her father because her father forced her into marriage with someone she does not love. In addition, the widows came to Nairobi because they do not have any martial support; thus, they have to support themselves. The case coming with husband or parents was considered rare in Nairobi.
Women like men were affected by the disturbed conditions of life in many parts of east Africa in the last few decades of the nineteenth century. The colonial intrusion was only a part of the prolonged catastrophe. Disastrous drought, famine, and epidemics of rinderpeset and small pox ruined the life of the humans. For example, the Kamba were hit from epidemic, a famine, and a locust invasion. The aggravating effect of the disaster can be observed from the description from the women who came to Nairobi in the early days: