Kenya's Path to Independence: Assessing Kenyatta's Leadership

Analyse the role of Kenyatta’s leadership in achieving independence for Kenya.

The aftermath of the Second World War strengthened African nationalist movements and imperial powers were made to take the prospect of decolonisation more seriously. African nationalists played a large part in dictating the pace. During the war demands for independence became more widespread and could no longer be ignored. The British government’s attitude also helped to account for the granting of independence to colonies; it was prepared to grant independence if it felt viable political units would be created.

In the 1950s the British East Africa Federation was created combining Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda but the outbreak of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya led to the end of this federation. The Mau Mau movement was a militant African nationalist group that opposed British colonial rule and its exploitation of the native population. The rebellion occurred due to the tension between the white settlers and the Kikuyu tribe; this tribe had been affected more by white settlement and felt more bitter. They were convinced that their cause was just. Mau Mau members carried out violent attacks against colonial leaders and white settlers.

In 1952, the colonial government declared a state of emergency and arrested many Kenyan independence leaders, including moderates who had little or no connection to the Mau Mau, like Jomo Kenyatta, president of the Kenya African Union. Between 1952 and 1956, the British defeated the Mau Mau through a brutal campaign of military action and widespread detention of the Kikuyu. However, the Mau Mau Rebellion also persuaded the British that social, political and agrarian reforms were necessary.

In 1957, the British allowed the first direct elections of native leaders to the Legislative Council and by 1960, Africans were a majority in the council. Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963, seven years after the collapse of the uprising. Many argue that the Mau Mau uprising was the catalyst for decolonisation as it showed that colonial control could only be maintained through the use of extreme force.

In 1946 Jomo Kenyatta became the leader of the Kenya African Union (KAU). He tried to gather support for his political plan for constitutional reform and he appealed to all Kenyans to unite behind the KAU and distanced himself from the Mau Mau. However, in October 1952, Kenyatta was arrested along with five colleagues, having been accused by the British of organizing the Mau Mau rebellion. He was sent to prison and the KAU was banned.

In 1960 the state of emergency ended and Britain announced plans to prepare Kenya for majority African rule. The Kenya African National Union (KANU) was formed in 1960 and general elections were held for the first time in February 1961. KANU received more votes but refused to participate in government until Kenyatta was released. The Asian Kenya Freedom Party and numerous independent candidates joined in the protest and, as political pressure built up, Kenyatta was finally released in August 1961 becoming President of KANU.

KANU and the Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU) debated on the form of government most suited to a free Kenya. In the meantime, Kenyatta agreed to a coalition government until independence. The first universal elections in the country took place in May 1963, with a resounding victory for Kenyatta and the KANU party. On June 1, 1963, Kenyatta became the first Prime Minister of Kenya. As head of state, he created an image of himself as father of the nation. He became regarded as a shield against radical nationalists.