ABSTRACT
Harambee (pulling together) is a self-help movement indigenous to Kenya. Harambee has been an integral element of Kenyan nationalism. Before independence harambee was a grass-root form of social exchange of labour and other forms of mutual assistance. The concept became a national slogan, a motto on the nation crest and a rally cry on Madaraka Day in June 1963 when the President of Kenya, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, formally made it such. Different interpretations of the nature and scope of the harambee movement have been forwarded by the relatively few scholars who have conducted research on this topic. Harambee has been said to predispose people and politicians to corruption in two ways. Following the adoption of multiparty politics, harambee had become a vehicle for bribing voters. If the current trend continues, bribery and patronage will become the primary function of public harambees and the community objectives will disappear altogether.
