(a) Explain the term Indirect Rule
(b) Why was the policy criticized?
Explanation
(a) Indirect Rule is a British system of ruling her colonies with the use of local chiefs, or other appointed intermediaries, and traditional laws and customs with British officials merely supervising the administration
(b) (i) The indirect Rule system excluded the educated elite from participating in the administration.
(ii) indirect Rule guaranteed the position of chiefs and therefore began to disregard the in-built traditional checks and balances they were subjected to before colonial rule
(iii) Indirect Rule did little to encourage traditional institutions to develop since colonial officials formulated policies and they only carried, out these policies.
(iv) The British had had absolute powers to create, recognized and depose traditional leaders which were. powers hitherto exercised by African subjects.
(v)Indirect Rule introduced certain practices alien to Africans e.g the appointment of warrant chiefs.
(vi) Imposition of taxes made indirect Rule unpopular •
(vii) Indirect Rule introduced Divide and Rule tactics