But these indigenous varieties of peas and beans would be supplanted by exotic ones during the colonial and postcolonial eras. Peas included pigeon peas, Victoria peas, French peas and other types from India. Due to this practice, mixed rather than pure varieties of beans were harvested and taken to the market for sale. Whereas African consumers in the villages did not mind mixed beans, European residents and canning firms in Kenya and overseas exclusively preferred pure beans of specific varieties. Most farmers were not ready to select and pack pure beans as this entailed much extra labour, which was not adequately rewarded.

Source: Daily Nation April 10, 2020 17:26 UTC