HOMESCHOOLING HUB- Learn. Grow. Succeed.: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN KENYA SINCE INDEPENDENCE

SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN KENYA SINCE INDEPENDENCE

Introduction

Kenya got independence on 12^th December 1963. On the night of this day, the colonial flag called The Union Jack was lowered and the Kenyan flag raised.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES FROM 1963-1991

Main developments.

Kenya adopted a Multi-party system at independence. The main political parties included:

a) KANU-Ruling party

b) KADU-Main Opposition party

c) APP- African Peoples Party- Opposition party

NB: the president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta did not want many opposition party. Reason- they would prevent national unity.

At this time, KANU was facing the following challenges:

i. Ethnicity

ii. Ideological difference whereby there were Radicals and moderates in KANU.

The radicals were led by Oginga Odinga, Bildad Kaggia and Fred Kubai while the moderates were led by Jomo Kenyatta, Tom Mboya and James Gichuru.

iii. Serious rivalry from the opposition (KADU) over federation.

NB: The main difference between KANU and KADU at this time was that KANU favoured UNITARY constitution/government while KADU advocated for a FEDERAL constitution/government/Majimboism.

To do away with the opposition, Jomo Kenyatta authorized his then Vice President Oginga Odinga to persuade KADU and APP to join KANU.

This was achieved by December 1964 as the following leaders of KADU crossed to KANU:

ü Ronald Ngala

ü Masinde Muliro

Paul Ngei of APP who moved to KANU earlier had been made a minister.

As a result of this movement, Kenya became a DEFACTO ONE PARTY STATE (by fact and not by law) since KANU remained as the only party in Kenya.

ABOLITION OF FEDERALISM

ü In 1964, the parliament abolished the federal system which Kenya had at independence.

ü At the Lancaster House Conference, KANU reluctantly accepted the federal/majimbo system for the sake of independence.

ü On 12^th December 1964, Kenya became a republic with an executive president who was also:

v the head of state

v the head of government

v the head of the ruling party

Main developments in 1964

a) Kenya became a republic on 12^th December 1964

b) The federal system/ majimboism was abolished

c) The post of the governor was abolished

THE LIMURU CONFERENCE OF 1966

Main developments

ü 8(eight) provincial party vice presidents were created instead of a single national vice president.

ü This move angered Oginga Odinga who was the Vice President then. Oginga Odinga broke away from KANU together with other radicals and formed KENYA PEOPLES UNION (KPU)

ü In the same year 1966, the KANU constitution was amemned- a member of parliament who resigned from KANU had to seek re-election.

ü Therefore, parliamentary elections were held in 1966 for 29 seats. KANU won 21 and KADU 7 for the lower house; and KANU 8 while KADU got 2 in the Senate.

BANNING OF KPU IN 1969

Main Developments

ü Oginga Odinga’s KPU was banned by the government in 1969.

This was after its supporters caused chaos during the opening of the New Nyanza General Hospital (Russia) in Kisumu, presided over by Jomo Kenyatta.

ü In 1969, a single chamber parliament was formed by amalgamating the senate to one chamber parliament. The senate had been disbanded in 1966.

POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS

Main Developments

ü Pio Gama Pinto (an Asian) was shot dead outside his house I n 1965. He was an MP for Parklands then.

ü Tom Joseph Mboya was assassinated on 5^th July 1969. This eroded confidence of the public in the government.

ü Josiah Mwangi Kariuki (JM Kariuki) the then MP for Nyandarua North was murdered on 2^nd March 1975.

NB: the government harassed those who criticized it by arresting the citics. Those who were arrested included:

i. Martin Shikuku-MP for Butere

ii. Jean Marie Saroney- Deputy Speaker

iii. George Anyona-MP for Kitutu Central

DEATH OF JOMO KENYATTA

ü Jomo Kenyatta died in 1978.

ü The Vice President Daniel arap Moi succeeded Kenyatta as the president, according to the constitution.

ü Moi assured Kenyans that follow the footsteps of Kenyatta in fostering national development. (Refer to Nyayo Philosophy)

ü After becoming the president, released all political prisoners/ detainees

DEJURE ONE PARTY STATE

Main Developments

ü Section 2A of the constitution was passed in June 1982 by the parliament. It made Kenya a de jure one party state (by law)

ü This meant that he law did not allow for the formation and existence of any other political party apart from the ruling party KANU.

ü From 1969-1981 Kenya had remained a defacto one party state after Kenyatta banned Oginga Odinga’s KPU.

THE 1982 FAILED/ABORTIVE COUP

Main Developments

ü Hezekia Ochuka led other junior Kenya Airforce officers in staging a coup on 1^st august 1982.

ü They attempted to overthrow and take over the government but they were defeated by loyalist forces.

ü They took over the government broadcast (the Voice of Kenya now Kenya Broadcasting Corporation) and announced the takeover government. They were in charge for several hours.

THE INFAMOUS 1988 GENERAL ELECTIONS

Main Developments

ü KANU introduced the unpopular queue voting (Mlolongo) method in the primaries in the primaries instead of the Secret Ballot.

ü Many popular politicians who were perceived to be criticizing the party were rigged out.

ü As a result, mant politicians left the ruling party.

ASSASSINATION OF ROBERT OUKO IN 1990

ü In February 1990, Dr. Robert Ouko was found murdered under mysterious circumstances.

ü He was then minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

ü His death triggered nationwide demonstrations.

REPEAL OF SECTION 2A OF THE CONSTITUTION IN 1991

ü In 1991, the Section 2A of the constitution which had made Kenya a de jure one party state was repealed.

ü This made Kenya a Multi-Party state by law.