Why was there opposition to British Rule in Kenya?

British Empire — Nationalism in Kenya

In this course, we investigate the historical trajectory of Kenya’s journey to independence, focusing on: (i) the impact of British colonialism, including the establishment of Kenya as a colony in 1895, the displacement of indigenous groups, and the racial hierarchies that marginalised Africans; (ii) the Mau Mau uprising, examining its origins in Kikuyu grievances, the formation of the Land and Freedom Army, and the British military response that included brutal tactics and mass detentions; (iii) the significance of Jomo Kenyatta, exploring his early life, rise to political prominence, imprisonment during the Mau Mau emergency, and eventual leadership as Kenya’s first president; (iv) the evolution of British colonial thinking in the 1950s, detailing the influence of decolonisation in Asia, shifting political strategies, and the decision to grant majority rule; (v) the final years of colonial rule, focusing on the formation of nationalist parties KADU and KANU, the negotiations leading to independence in December 1963, and Kenyatta’s establishment of a centralised government while maintaining ties with Britain.

Why was there opposition to British Rule in Kenya?

In this module, we explore the historical context and impact of British colonialism in Kenya, focusing on: (i) the establishment of Kenya as a British colony in 1895 and the economic motivations behind colonial rule; (ii) the displacement of the Kikuyu and other indigenous groups from the fertile White Highlands, contrary to claims of unoccupied land; (iii) the racial hierarchy that structured colonial society, placing Europeans at the top, followed by Asians, with Africans marginalised; (iv) the political disenfranchisement of Africans, who were excluded from legislative processes while Europeans held all power; (v) the growing opposition to colonial rule driven by the intertwined issues of land and race, which laid the groundwork for nationalist movements in the mid-20th century.