ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the crucial period of transition from colonial rule to political independence in Kenya in 1963. The chapter charts the emergence of political organisations of the indigenous classes, which can be traced back to the early 1920s, and how the organisations developed in the different Kenyan provinces. The chapter looks at the growth of organisations in the different regions, resulting in a wealthy landed class from Kikuyu and an educated class in Nyanza that was closely linked with the colonial state. The first national political organisation, the Kenyan African Union (KAU), was established in 1946 with the assistance of the colonial government. The outbreak of Mau Mau conflict and the political repression instituted by the colonial government provided fertile ground for the emergence of a moderate KAU leadership, which represented the ‘responsible’ face of African nationalism. The shape of the post-colonial state started to take form during this time, with moderate African nationalists privileged by the colonial state as it sought to maintain its economic interests in Kenya. In 1961 the Kenyan African National Union (KANU) was formed, and the leadership sought to unite the divided classes and dominant ethnic groups in Kenya. The chapter concludes with Kenyatta assuming leadership on KANU, and describes his endeavour to rehabilitate the moderate wing of the party and to force its political programme for the post-colonial state.
