Nationalism in Kenya took place through a combination of peaceful and violent methods. Kenyans, in the beginning formed organization which demanded for African rights and independence by negotiation.
Due to absence of readiness of colonial government to accept Africans demands, Africans opted for armed struggle and form freedom fighters Movement known as Maumau. The actual meaning of Maumau is not known, but historians said; its meaning might be “MZUNGU ARUDI ULAYA MWAFRICA APATE UHURU” Kiswahili language.
THE EMERGENCE OF MAUMAU
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| Dedan Kimathi |
The movement was established by the freedom fighters who wanted to attain independence from the British. Its leaders were Waruhiu Itote who was also called General China, an ex – soldier from world war II, Jonathan Okwiriri and Dedan Kimathi. Other participants in the war were Kikuyu and wage labourers.
AIMS OF MAUMAU WAR
Killing all Europeans and their Africa n collaborators in order to stop the exploitation and oppression
1. To attain majority rule
2. To speed up writing of constitution
3. To get equal rights with the white men
4. To stop land alienation
5. Africans representation in the legislative council. E.g. in 1944, it was only Eliud Mathu who was the member of the legislative council. By 1948 African legislative members were increased to four but they were not sufficient.
Causes of Maumau war
1. Land alienation. The British government in Kenya took Africa n fertile land and gave settlers for production of cash crops. Africa ns started the war as the way to bring back their land by force.
2. The banning of political parties. In 1952, the British government banned KAU which was only political party. This implied the end of using peaceful means in demanding for independence. Hence Africa ns has to start Maumau war as the last resort.
3. Destruction of African culture. European did not respect Africa n tradition and customs such as polygamy and circumcision. Hence Africa ns has to fight to maintain their dignity.
4. Lack of employment opportunities. The African especially the ex-service men, ex-soldiers and extremist group lacked employment and job opportunities. This bad life situation made them wage war.
5. Denial for basic human rights. Africans were not given their basic rights such as freedom of speech and the right to join assemblies and associations. Hence, Africans decided to fight for their rights.
6. Taxation. Africans were taxed and those who failed to pay tax were highly punished by the state. Hence Africa n fought against oppression actions over the people e.g. Kipande system.
7. Poor social services to Africa ns. Africa ns suffered with poor transport and communication services. Therefore, Africa ns decided to fight for their rights.
8. The challenge from WW II. The ex-soldiers from the second world war, came with a new experience that, Europeans were not superior and abnormal as some Africa n thought. They encouraged their fellow Africa ns to fight against the white.
The state of emergency in Kenya during Maumau war
The British governor sir Evelyn Boting declared the state of emergence in 1960. The colonial government took various measures so as to implement the state of emergency.
The colonial government arrested African leaders such as Jomo Kenyatta and many other KAU leaders. They were accused of organizing and supporting Maumau. In 1953, Kenyatta and his fellows were taken to court at Kapenguria and sentenced to seven years imprisonment Lodwar near Ludolf. Other Maumau leader such as Waruhiu Itote and Dedan Kimathi were arrested in 1954 and 1956 respectively.
Many kikuyu people were subjected from their villages to protected camps, in order to avoid contacts with their fighters and control their movement e.g. in 1954 26,000 kikuyu suspects who had no good reasons for being in Nairobi were rounded up and put in detection camps which were so much overcrowded.
The government burnt down several villages to terrify Africans so as to stop Maumau movement.
The British government assassinated others who participated in the Maumau war e.g. Tom Mboya, the vice president of KAU and Nairobi city councilor. The murder, was done by King African Rifles (KAR).
The colonial government sought for military help from Britain. Bombs and guns were imported, massacres took place and Maumau was put under control and ended in 1956 when its leaders were captured.
Effects of the state of emergency in the struggle for independence
1. Many Africans were forced into the reserves and detention camps. In these areas they suffered harsh treatment and bad living condition.
2. Death. 200 thousand government soldiers perished, 58 Europeans and Asian died, white 10,000 freedom fighters died.
3. It created fear and insecurity among Africans. This situation was highly experienced in the colonial central province where fighting took place.
4. It was very costly. The cost was about 50,000,000 pounds to colonial government and Britain.
5. Europeans changed their attitude towards Africans. They were ready to sit and talk with nationalist leaders.
6. Increase of number of Africans in the LEGCO. By 1958 the number of Africans in the LEGCO was increased to fourteen. Most of them, were new members (non-kikuyu). These included, Tom Mboya,Jaramogi Oginga Ondinga, Daniel Arap Moi, Jeremiah Ayaye and Julius Gikonyo Kiano.
NB: In 1959 African LEGCO members boycotted, demanding the release of Kenyatta and constitutional conference.
THE FIRST LANCASTER HOUSE CONFERENCE
In January 1960, the constitutional conference was held in Lancaster house by John MC. This was a colonial government response towards Africa n demands. These was attended by all members of the legislative council, the Europeans and some Africans.
FORMATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
After the first Lancaster conference, many African legislative members formed political parties such as: -
Kenya national party (KNP) formed in 1959 by Mr. Blundell.
Kenya African national union (KANU) led by Gichuru as president, Mr. Odinga as the vice president and Tom Mboya was a general secretary. It pressed for a unitary constitution of independence. Jommo Kenyatta took up leadership from 1961.
Kenya African democratic union (KADU) was formed by people who feared KANU and being dominated by the kikuyu and Luo. It received much support from Kalenjin, the Masai and the people in Northern Nyanza and coast. Its leaders were Mr. Ngala, Mr. Masuid Muliro and Daniel Arap Moi. KADU needed federal constitution which would be dominated by the Luo and Kikuyu (i.e. KANU supported by kikuyu, KADU supported by Luo).
THE SECOND LANCASTER CONFERENCE OF 1962
In February 1962, there was another conference in London led by a colonial secretary, Reginald Maudling. The conference wanted to propose last steps to independence, and the kind of constitution which could remain in Kenya. Therefore, after the elections held in May 1963, whereby, Jommo Kenyatta the leader of KANU became a prime minster. On 12th December 1963 Kenya became a republic and Mr. Jommo Kenyatta became the first president of the republic of Kenya.
PROBLEMS FACED NATIONALISTIC STRUGGLE IN KENYA OR OBSTACLES WHICH HINDER THE STRUGGLE OF INDEPENDENCE IN KENYA
1. Tribalism. In Kenya during the struggle for independence, political parties such as KANU and KADU were formed with the support of tribal or ethnical grouping. KANU was largely supported by the kikuyu while KADU was supported by the Luo. So due to elements of tribalism, Africans could not unite easily to fight for independence.
2. Presence of settlers. The white farmers always opposed African nationalist struggle because they feared that once Kenya, became independent, the Africa n government could grab the farms from them.
3. Lack of fund. The Africa n lacked money which enable them to have the supplies of food, guns and communication.
4. Poor transport and communication network. In Kenya, there were no telephone network, areas were not well linked with roads and railways, language problems which was due to each tribe, preferred to use its own language. Therefore, it was difficult to communicate.
5. Illiteracy. People of Kenya had high level of illiteracy. For example, because of ignorance, some Africa ns collaborated with colonialist and weakened the nationalist and others saw no need of fighting the whites.
6. Misunderstanding among African nationalistic leaders in Kenya. African national leaders spend most of their time in clashes rather than mobilizing people to struggle for independence.
7. Opposition from colonial government. There was hostility from the colonial government towards the struggle for independence. The colonial government weakened the struggle by arresting nationalist leaders. Example Dedan Kimathi was captured and excuted, Jomo Kenyatta was arrested, etc.
8. Banning of political parties.
