BRITISH EAST AFRICA, in its narrower sense the name by which the East Africa Protectorate was generally known until in 192o it became Kenya Colony and Protectorate (see KENYA COLONY). In its wider sense the term includes all the territories in East Central Africa under British administration, namely Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia.
Since Tanganyika Territory (formerly German East Africa) came in 1919 under a British mandate these regions form a con tinuous block of country extending from the Zambezi to the Upper Nile. Their common interests led to co-operation in va rious economic spheres, and to a movement for political union or federation. The position in East Africa as a whole was studied on the spot by a parliamentary commission in 1924; in 1926 a conference was held in Nairobi of the governors of all the terri tories concerned, and in 1928 a commission appointed by the British Government further studied the question of federation. But unanimity of opinion on the subject was lacking. In Zan zibar, where connections are mainly with India, federation was frankly opposed, while the white settlers in Northern Rhodesia were divided in their view as to whether their future lay with South or East Africa. As for Tanganyika, fears were expressed that there was some thing temporary and uncertain in the Brit ish tenure of that territory under the man date. On this point the secretary for the colonies, Mr. L. Amery, declared, June I i, 1926, that Great Britain held Tanganyika in her own right under the Treaty of Ver sailles, and that the foundations of the East Africa of the future were as sure and permanent in Tanganyika as they were in any other East African territory. The most ardent advocates of federation were the white settlers in Kenya. Their leader, Lord Delamere (the 3rd baron), presided over conferences of unofficial delegates to further joint action, held at Tukuyu (in Tanganyika) in 1925 and at Nairobi in 1927. The general view, in 1928, was that should closer union be deemed desirable the first step should be a federation of Uganda, Kenya and Tanganyika.
The Report of the East Africa Commission (Cmd. No. 2387) (H.M. Stationery Office, 1925) summarizes the position and needs of East Africa; Major A. Church, in East Africa: A New Dominion (1927), deals largely with native interests. See also Future Policy in Regard to East Africa (Cmd. 2904) (1927) and authorities cited under KENYA; TANGANYIKA, etc.
British responsibilities for defence in East Africa have been widely extended by the acceptance of "mandates" after the World War. The King's African Rifles, whose history dates from 1891, is the main de fensive force in East Africa. The K.A.R. is a regular regiment, with native person nel drawn from numerous tribes, under officers seconded from the British army. In 1918 there were 22 battalions with over 38,00o enrolled. There are now five bat talions and a camel corps (Somaliland). Two battalions are in Nyasaland, one in Kenya Colony, one in Uganda and one in Tanganyika Territory. The troops in each of these territories (see also GREAT BRIT AIN, Colonial Forces) are under the orders of the Governor. Administration and training is superintended by an inspector general, under the Colonial Office, with headquarters in London. Enlistment is for six years, with re-engagements for three years, up to 18 years' service. Reserves may be called up on permanent service or in aid of civil power, or for 31 days' training in any one year. The force is liable to service in any part of the world. There are also police forces for local service. The total peace strength of the K.A.R. is about 5,700.
See also League of Nations, Armaments Year-Book (1928) ; Notes on the Land Forces of British Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates (British War Office, Dec. 1925), and Annual Army Estimates.