KENYA COASTAL STRIP REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER

The book is a report by the Commissioner, James R. Robertson, to study the issue of the coastal strip as the then Kenyan colony was approaching independence. The commissioner had been tasked to asses the question of the 10 mile East African coastal strip with regard to its status in the event of Kenya becoming independent. Historically, Kadhis Courts existed in the East Coast of Africa long before colonization. In Kenya, they existed in the Coast, which at the time of colonization, was under the Sultan of Zanzibar. In 1895, the Sultan gave the British power to administer the 10 mile coastal strip subject to their respecting the existing Kadhis Courts among other conditions. The British did so and declared a protectorate over the coast while the rest of Kenya was a colony proper. The report recommended the 10 mile coastal strip to become part of Kenya with respect of the latter respecting the cultural uniqueness of the Muslim population and further enshrining certain aspects of Muslim law with regard to Marriage, Divorce, succession and personal status into the Kenya Constitution.