Anglo-Maasai Treaty (1904)

The Maasai acquired swathes of new land following success in the Iloikop Wars Wars of the 1870s, however this created problems as they were unable to successfully occupy their new territories. By the early 1880s, Kamba, Kalenjin and Kikuyu raiders were making inroads into Maasai territory, and the Maasai were struggling to protect cattle and grazing land. The period between 1884 and 1894 is referred to in Masaai tradition as "The Disaster". Around 1883, the Maasai and their cattle were ravaged by bovine disease which spread from the north and lingered for years. To augment their herds, the Maasai focused on raiding neighbouring tribes and concentrating stock amongst family and kin. Further trouble emerged in 1891 when rinderpest appeared in the Maasai herds, most likely spread from raided cattle, and spread rapidly throughout Maasai land. Eliot, and a number of other officials, regarded the White Highlands as the most suitable place for European settlement, an area long utilised by certain sections of the Maasai. Eliot's vision was however opposed by some subordinate officers, notably Frederick Jackson and S.S. Bagge, who after talking with Maasai elders felt that whilst the grant to The East Africa Syndicate was acceptable, grants to private individuals must not encroach on the heartland of the Rift Valley Maasai and should rather be north of Nakuru and Elementeita, areas not previously inhabited by the Maasai. The controversy over these land concessions entertained by Eliot ultimately forced him to resign as Commissioner in 1904. ==Treaty==

Despite Eliot's resignation, the government continued to entertain a land treaty with the Maasai. In the months prior to the signing of the treaty, Maasai chiefs had met with Charles Hobley at Naivasha and John Ainsworth at Nairobi to discuss a land settlement scheme for the Maasai tribe. On 10 August 1904, the Laibon of the Maasai, namely Lenana, son of Mbatian, and chief representatives from all Maasai sections within the East Africa Protectorate met with the newly appointed Commissioner of the Protectorate, Sir Donald Stewart in Nairobi. It was agreed that the Maasai would vacate the entirety of the Rift Valley so that the government could use it for European settlement. In return the Maasai sections concerned would migrate to two new settlements, which would be reserved for their use only and to the exclusion of Europeans or other settlers. The Elburgu (Il Purko), Gekunuki (Il Keekonyokie), Loita, Damat and Laitutok sections would move to a northern reserve in Laikipia; the Kaptei, Matapatu, Ndogalani and Sigarari (all these are anglicised spellings) sections would move to a territory originally occupied by them south of Ngong and the Kisearian streams. An area was to be reserved on the slopes of Kinangop where the Maasai could carry out circumcision rites and ceremonies and Lenana and his successors would be allowed to occupy land between Nbagathi and the confluence of the Kisearian streams. The government further agreed to pay reasonable compensation to Maasai cultivators near Nairobi, and to maintain a station at Laikipia with only officers whom the Maasai know and trust. Stewart signed the Treaty on 10 August, whilst the Maasai chiefs signed on 15 August. ==Aftermath==

At first, large numbers of Maasai refused to move and the government had to delay the move. At a meeting at Naivasha some warriors asserted that they would rather die than leave their homesteads. Many Maasai did not move, and instead took up herding livestock for the East Africa Syndicate. Only the Purko settled permanently in the northern reserve. The Loita and Damat, after initially moving to the northern reserve, later moved south along with some Purko to the Loita Hills. Despite the signing of the treaty, later European demands for land at Laikipia would result in a second treaty, also known as the Masai Agreement of 1911. ==References==