Kenya: From Nairobi to Mombasa

Alessandro Billau

Prof. Kodero

CPO 3204

18 October 2019

Outline: Kenya: From Nairobi to Mombasa

Introduction

Why did the British colonize Kenya? This research paper will focus on the history of Kenya’s

democratic evolution from the start of the Berlin Conference in 1885 to the Grand Coalition in

2007.

Thesis: Throughout this paper, I postulate that the history of discrimination and institutional

racism in the country has influenced the democratic rule. Depending on the time, these factors

either hindered or encouraged democracy. Next, with the help of books, magazines, and

academic articles regarding the political, economic, and agricultural sanctions enforced in Kenya

will provide enough information to paint the picture.

First Main Point

A. Colonization

1. The origins of Kenya's colonial history date back to the 1885 Berlin Conference, when

the European powers first split East Africa into spheres of influence.

2. In 1895, the British government established the East African Protectorate and yielded the

prosperous highlands to European settlers shortly after.

3. These settlers were allowed to speak freely in government even before it was officially

declared a British province in 1920, while Africans and Asians were forbidden from

substantial political involvement until 1944.

B. Resistance towards Colonization

4. Members of the tribes of Kikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Kamba swore an oath of loyalty and

confidentiality in 1942 to battle for independence from British rule.

5. With that vow, the Mau Mau Movement began, and Kenya embarked on its difficult

journey towards national sovereignty.

C. Important Context in the Mau Mau Movement

6. Jomo Kenyatta and Dedan Kimathi charged with guiding the Mau Mau in 1953

7. Thanks to the Mau Mau uprising against British colonial rule, Kenya was placed in a

national emergency from October 1952 to December 1959 and thousands of Kenyans

were imprisoned in detention camps.

8. African participation in the legislative process increased dramatically during this time

and allowed for European, Asian and African to be admitted to the Legislative Council

of Kenya.

Second Main Point

A. Independence

1. Kenyatta was released in 1962 to become the first prime minister of Kenya, when on

December 12, 1963, Kenya eventually gained freedom.

2. British Commonwealth

B. One Party System

3. The Kenya People’s Union

4. “De Facto”

5. Second President Daniel Arap Moi

C. The Moi Era

6. A variety of independent groups was formed in early 1992 and representative democracy

was restored and elections were held with the involvement of certain parties. Moi was re-

elected for another five year term owing to opposition divisions, and his KANU party

acquired a majority in the parliament.

7. Political rights expanded

Third Main Point

A. Economy

1. Kenya has a market-based economy with a changed outside exchange framework and a

couple of state undertakings. Real ventures include agriculture, forestry, manufacturing,

tourism, fishing, and energy.

2. Since Kenya economy relies heavily on agriculture, I want to implant this into my paper

because of how much the amount of environmental problems are our world has. Some of

the environmental issues faced in Kenya include soil erosion, water shortages,

deforestation, decertification, poaching, flooding, pollution and most importantly lower

quality of fresh water.

B. The Grand Coalition

3. 10th General Election (December 2007)

4. Unfortunately, a conflict that proceeded the declaration of the outcome by the Kenyan

Electoral Commission devolved into an unparalleled period of violence in some regions

of the nation. Resulting in the unsettledness of some inhabitants, vandalism, and

widespread disturbance of socially and economically ideals.

Conclusion

A. Restate thesis statement

B. Relate to other similar countries for comparison

C. Revisit main points and future of the nation