invasion note that the two previous expeditions against the Nandi had been unable to bring about Nandi recognition of the establishment of British colonial rule that was then coming in force. They note that raids on the Uasin Gishu Maasai and their nearby tribes were frequent, and that mail runners and isolated stragglers from caravans were still attacked and murdered. Several askaris of the Ugandan Rifles are noted to have been killed and their rifles taken. The British perception then as captured by, C.W. Hobley the sub-commissioner of the district was that "The Wanandi, with the exception of a few in the vicinity of the station, have all along viewed our presence in the country with veiled repugnance...we were unwittingly living on the edge of a volcano.". In late 1899, Colonel Coles carried out brief retaliatory measures and took a number of sheep and goats. Reports indicate that as works continued on the railway line, thefts of ironwork, telegraph wire and stores of all descriptions from unguarded construction camps increased. The area most affected is said to have been in the Nyando Valley, between Molo and Kisumu. It is noted that a telegraph wire was cut in March 1900 and that in May, a telegraph office located at a place known as Kitoto's was raided. Further, Nandi warriors are recorded to have made a number of attacks on bridge-building parties, on caravans and on Protectorate military patrols. The sub-commissioner subsequently appealed for more troops. Preparations At the time, Nandi was garrisoned by the Protectorates Nos. 7 and 14 companies. They were joined on 3 July 1900 by a company of the Indian contingent and No. 13 Company Uganda Rifles who arrived at Kisumu. Evatt entered Nandi with his troops on 5 July and they were joined by other divisions as the scale of operations grew. 14 August No.15 Company from Lumbwa 23 August; about 300 Maasai auxiliaries 25 September; half of No.10 Company from Fort Portal 13 October; half No.4 Company from Masindi 17 October; half No. 3 Company from Buddu It is presently unknown what the Nandi order if any was. Conflict The Nandi pursued asymmetric warfare, keeping away from direct conflict while killing isolated parties and stragglers. It is reported that the conflict began almost as soon as Evatt entered Nandi. His porters are recorded to have been attacked while watering at a stream and that on 7