Chapter 90: The New Administrative Division
August 11, 1867.
With the last batch of Zanzibar Sultanate citizens relocated to Zanzibar Island, the East African colony officially took full control over the Sultanate's mainland territory.
To facilitate colonial administration and fully absorb these newly acquired lands, Ernst and the upper ranks of the colonial government conducted a series of studies and discussions, leading to a further redivision of the colony's administrative regions.
First, the former Kenya colony was divided into three administrative zones and merged into the East African colony. From west to east:
Western Kenya Zone, with Kisumu as its capital. Located along the northern bay of Lake Victoria (Great Lake), Kisumu—like Mwanza—is on the lake's shores. In the previous life, Kisumu was Kenya's third-largest city, and Mwanza was Tanzania's second-largest, reflecting the region's exceptional natural conditions.
In the future, once the northwest plague subsides and Kampala (capital of the Kingdom of Buganda) is seized, the colonial government aims to build a triad of urban and economic centers around Lake Victoria.Central Kenya Zone, with Nairobi as its capital. Already the capital of modern Kenya and East Africa's largest city, Nairobi has massive development potential. Coffee plantations are already being cultivated near this area.Eastern Kenya Zone, with Mombasa as its capital. Mombasa is poised to become one of East Africa's two most important ports (the other being Dar es Salaam). It enjoys excellent transport conditions and is currently the most vibrant region in Kenya.
In addition to the Kenya reorganization, adjustments were also made to the Tanzanian administrative divisions:
The First Town, where the colonial central government is located, was redefined. Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam were merged into it to form the Central Zone.
This newly established Central Zone, while the smallest in area, became the most powerful. It now included not only the administrative capital (First Town) but also the port cities of Bagamoyo and Dar es Salaam, and the earliest-planned immigration settlement—Second Town.
These four cities boasted the most developed infrastructure and held significant future potential.
The Upper Coastal Zone's capital was shifted from Third Town (Kitonga) to Tanga. As one of only four port cities in the colony and home to the sisal processing industry, Tanga had much greater potential than Kitonga.
Kitonga's proximity to First Town diminished its strategic relevance, so it was downgraded, though it remained the Upper Coastal Zone's second-most important city.
With the withdrawal of the Zanzibar Sultanate population, the rest of the former coastal territories were merged into nearby zones.
Thus, the coastal administrative zones from south to north became:
Lower Coastal Zone, Middle Coastal Zone, Central Zone, Upper Coastal Zone, and Eastern Kenya Zone.
This expansion raised the total number of East African administrative zones from ten to fourteen (due to the reclassification of First Town and the addition of three Kenya zones).
To promote southern development, it was also decided to establish a new port city in the south—Mtwara, located in the Lower Coastal Zone, intended to serve both the Lower Coastal and Eastern Lake Malawi Zones.
Previously, due to policy focus and geography, these two regions had the weakest colonial presence.
Development and expansion had largely concentrated on the west and north, and the war with the Zanzibar Sultanate further delayed attention to the south.
As a result, southern immigration was slower than in some inland regions and comparable to central zones—odd given their proximity to external threats.
The south must now be prioritized. The Portuguese are no pushovers. While they've been in decline for years, their overseas strength still surpassed what Ernst—or even Prussia and Austria-Hungary—could challenge directly.
Colonial authorities had broad autonomy in this era. Even if Lisbon had no designs on East Africa, rogue officials in Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique) might act independently.
Portugal had established roots in Mozambique since 1497—a colonial history spanning 400 years. Their rule was deeply entrenched, and history showed that the Portuguese had clashed with the Zanzibar Sultanate before.
Thus, they couldn't be taken lightly. The capitals of Lower Coastal Zone (Lindi) and Eastern Lake Malawi Zone (Songea) were very close to Portuguese East Africa, necessitating a military buildup for deterrence.
Colonialism in this era wasn't some noble mission—it was advanced weaponry conquering backward regions and looting their resources.
Valuable resources like gold and silver were contested fiercely, often sparking wars between colonizers.
East Africa was relatively poor, lacking standout resources and featuring harsh environments. Even during the slave trade era, it couldn't compete with West Africa.
What gave the East African colony its edge was Ernst's personal planning and commitment to its development.
The colony's growth was systematic: immigrant numbers skyrocketed, and the native population plummeted.
Take the Portuguese as an example—they colonized Mozambique for centuries, yet their immigrant population still lagged behind that of the East African colony, which was less than two years old.
Worse, Portugal relied heavily on Black labor and allowed the native population to grow unchecked—something that would eventually backfire (as it did in 1975 when Mozambique gained independence).
Portugal had ruled Mozambique for 500 years. Calling it "part of the homeland" wouldn't be an exaggeration. And yet, they still left with their tails between their legs.
In contrast, the East African colony's native population had already dropped from several million to a few hundred thousand—and they were considered expendable. That number would continue to fall.
Within a few decades, the colony would be dominated by European and Chinese immigrants.
(Complete eradication would take 20–30 years, given that major projects still needed the natives' labor.)
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