Why did the British government take control of the East Africa Protectorate in 1895?

The British government assumed direct control of the East Africa Protectorate in 1895 primarily due to the financial failure of the Imperial British East Africa Company.

The company had been granted a royal charter in 1888 to administer and develop the British sphere in East Africa, but it lacked the financial resources necessary for large-scale development. Furthermore, the company incurred significant debt through its involvement in the kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro in present-day Uganda, which forced it to restrict its activities to coastal regions.12

To resolve these financial difficulties, the British government intervened in 1895 by paying the company £250,000 to surrender its charter. This action allowed the government to formally proclaim the East Africa Protectorate, marking the transition from company rule to direct administration by the British Crown.12