Question

find out about the anti-colonial movement in kenya. compare and contrast India's national movement with the ways in which Kenya became independent.

Answer 1

Jomo Kenyatta, a former water meter inspector with the Nairobi Municipal counoil, became the first propaganda secretary of the East African Association, and later the secretary general of the Kikuyu Central Association. In 1929, Kenyatta sailed to England to present the Association’s case for freedom directly to the Colonial office, the British parliament and the people. The Carter L and Commission was convened in 1931 to adjudicate land interests and Kenyatta once again presented evidence supporting the Association’s cause. The findings of the commission only served to widen the gulf between Africans and Europeans, however, for it marked out permanent barriers between the white – owned farms and the African Land Units or ‘reserves’. These boundries became law five years later As a result, the number of political groups demanding greater African participation increased dramatically. The colonial government quickly squelched this mobilization effort by banning all African political associations in 1940.

2. World War II only increased African discontent as Kenyans fought side by side with their colonial masters. During the five year conflict Africans were exposed to many new influences and developed an awareness that the white man was far from invincible. Empowered by this new outlook, African veterans went home to Kenya with the realization that a return to the status- quo was impossible. As discontent grew, the tide of freedom swept across Africa.

3. Jomo Kenyatta continued as a vocal leader in the African quest freedom. In 1946, he returned from his years in exile to unite the various African political and ethnic factions for Kenyatta assumed leadership on the Kenya African Union (KAU) and gave a common voice to the disparate groups. The attitude of the colonial authrorites hardened as the KAU grew in number and intensity. Police suppressed KAU strikes by firing on protesters and the groundwork was laid for the freedom fight.

4. Early in 1952, the Kenya Citizens Association was formed in an effort to promote change based on persuasion and compromise rather than confrontation and violence.

5. Violence erupted on October 20, 1952 as the Mau Mau protested the midnight arrest of Jomo Kenyatta and five colleagues. Many innocent victims were slain during the revolt including 97 so- called loyalists who were brutally murdered at the “Lari Massacre.” Sir Evelyn Baring accused Kenyatta of organizing the Mau Mau and subjected him to a rigged trial. The accused were all found guilty and sentenced to seven years of hard labour at a remote camp near Lake Turkana.

6. The Mau Mau rebellion continued until 1956. During the three years of civil war, over 30,000 men, women, and children were imprisoned in concentration camps, many losing their homes and their land as a result. Another 13,500 Africans and little over 100 Europeans were killed. The colonial government finally conceded some political power to the Africans with limited representation in the Legislative Council. Kenyatta was sentenced to two more years of prison, but was elected president “in absentia” of the Kenya African National Union , or KANU.

7. The Birth of a Nation : 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. Kenyatta was finally released in August 1961. The first universal elections in the country took place in May 1963, with an overwhelming victory for Kenyatta became the first Prime Minister of Kenya, Independence became a reality for Kenya on December 12, 1963.

Kenya Vs India :

1. The anti- colonial movement in Kenya was totally opposite of the anti- colonial movement in India. The Indian freedom fight was led by Mahatama Gandhi, who showed the path of satyagraha. The Freedom struggle was based on non- violence and truth. He mobilized Indians on his own principles. And he was very very successful in his ways.

Answer 2

Answer:

India came under British dominance in 1757, when the East India Company established its headquarters in Calcutta, present day Kolkata. In 1858, the East India Company was replaced by the British Government and Indians became subjects of the British Crown. Even though there were several sporadic armed movements against the British, it was the great Mahatma Gandhi, a practitioner and preacher of non-violence, who won independence for us. India's independence was won through peaceful and non-violent mass movements and civil disobedience. The best fruit of freedom for Indians has been its vibrant democracy.

Kenya virtually came under British rule in 1895 when the East African Protectorate was formed, but was officially declared a colony in 1920. The Mau Mau Uprising between 1952 and 1956 was the first serious fight against oppression. However, the leader of the armed movement, Jomo Kenyatta, was arrested immediately; in 1956, the other leader, Dedan Kimathi, was captured. The movement died out soon after. In 1957, election to the Legislative Council was held for the first time. The members of the council continually demanded that Kenyatta be released. Eventually, Kenya became independent on 12th December, 1963 and Jomo Kenyatta became the first Prime Minister. In 1966, the single opposition party, left-leaning KPU was banned and its leader arrested; tragically, the aconstitution was amended, Kenyatta became President and single-party rule was established.