The Maasai community lost their grazing lands because:

(i) European imperial powers scramble for territorial possessions in Africa led to slicing up of the continent into different regions/colonies. Maasai land was divided between British Kenya and German Tanganyika. This restricted the movement of the Maasais between regions.

(ii) The best grazing lands were taken over for white settlement and pastoralists were not allowed entry to these settlements and markets. This restricted not only grazing lands but prohibited them from entering into any form of trade as well. They were moreover pushed into a small area which was arid and poor in pastures.

(iii) In late 19th century local peasant communities were encouraged by the British colonisers to expand cultivation at the expense of pasture lands.

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(iv) Large areas of Maasai grazing lands were turned into game reserves, e.g., Sambur U National Park in Kenya and Serengeti Park in Tanzania. These reserves were out of bound of the pastoralists.

(v) For lands which were available special permits were required and rules lay down. In case of default Maasai’s were subject to harassment and severely punished.

(vi) In pre-colonial times the Maasai pastoralists had dominated their neighbours economically and politically but by the end of colonial rule the situation was reversed.