20/10/2024
I hope you are having a restful Kenyatta Day!
In the wake of World War II, a global wave of anti-colonial movements emerged, with local factors such as land dispossession and political exclusion shaping the aspirations of Kenyans for self-determination and independence. Jomo Kenyatta traveled to Europe in 1929 and spent 15 years there, primarily to pursue education and advocate for Kikuyu land rights. Proving ownership of land was challenging for Africans, as traditional practices did not recognize title deeds before colonial rule.
On October 7, 1952, Chief Waruhiu Itote, a notable Kikuyu Chief, was assassinated in Gachie by members of the Mau Mau movement. His car was ambushed by unknown assailants, and as he sat in the back seat, a gunman approached, asked for his name, and shot him. This act was emblematic of the broader conflict of the Mau Mau uprising, as Waruhiu was viewed as a collaborator with the British colonial authorities.
On October 20, 1952, Governor Baring declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating violence. The following morning, Operation Jock Scott was initiated, leading to the mass arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and 180 other suspected Mau Mau leaders in Nairobi.
In the aftermath of these events, the new constitution promulgated on August 24, 2010, marked a significant turning point in Kenya's history, honoring the contributions of all heroes, or Shujaas. However, it's worth noting the ironies of their heroism. While Kenyatta initially fought for land rights, his 14 years as president resulted in his family becoming the largest landowners in Kenya, exacerbating inequalities in land distribution post-independence.
Similarly, the railroad was a transformative force in 19th-century America, driving infrastructure development, westward expansion, and economic growth. In contrast, Koitalel arap Samoe is remembered as a symbol of resistance against the railway’s construction in Kenya. Ironically, over a century later, another Samoei emerged, leading the country into significant debt by pursuing similar projects funded by foreign debt—debts that Kenya continues to grapple with. Additionally, Samuel Muindi Mbingu ignored warnings, by Wazungus, about overgrazing, leaving his posterity with degraded soil, hunger and economic hardship. This raises the question: were these individuals truly heroes?
As Kenyans and Africans today, we should not blindly resist every new development. Instead, we need to adopt smart models and frameworks for Public-Private Partnerships, clearly defining the rights of Kenyans and the benefits for foreign investors to ensure mutual advantage. Build Operate Transfer. Ignorance in this area could lead us to miss out on valuable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). A century or so to come, the unborn will read about the politics today, and think there is something we ought to have known!
