Political map of Kenya
Kenya: Dedicated and Proud
Kenyans are the first, and only, nation we will look at today that fought an all-out war of independence against the British Empire successfully. The then-colony served valiantly for the Allies during World War Two. Represented by 98,000 recruited men deployed throughout the empire, Kenya served as a launching point into Italian-held territories in North Africa. Though they fought the same enemies in the name of freedom and democracy, the Kenyan colonists were expected to return to their home and maintain their previous existence. Instead, a slow rebellion made of many decentralized resistance cells began during the 1950's as resistance to the empire's control increased. Women and men both served as guerilla fighters against occupation, and in 1963 their fierce fighting was rewarded with both their independence and entry into the Commonwealth of Nations. Kenya remains a proud and dedicated member of the Commonwealth today and continues to work towards the organization's ideals.
Jomo Kenyatta: A Man and a Symbol
Jomo Kenyatta - First Prime Minister and Kenyan Nationalist
Growing up to become a carpenter in the early 20th century, Kenyatta began his fight against the empire by joining with East Africans to petition for the imperial government to return land given to white settlers. When this failed, Kenyatta left and traveled to study in Moscow before petitioning for equal rights in London. In 1952 the Mau Mau Rebellion began against the empire, and a British raid led to the arrest of Kenyatta and a sentence of hard labor. This only heightened his popularity and his international studies and work for Kenyans pushed him into prominence as a key negotiator between the empire and Kenyans. In 1963, Kenya achieved its independence as a Republic, and joined the Commonwealth. Kenyatta continued to be influential as he fought to end apartheid in South Africa. Upon his death, Kenyatta had become so influential that the UK government helped with his funeral and provided the ceremony expected of a UK official's funeral.
Speech given by Jomo Kenyatta
"Weaver Bird," the Only Female Field Marshall
When the Mau Mau Rebellion began, many people flocked to join the struggle for independence. Muthoni-Kirima, or "Weaver Bird" as her fellow officers called her, entered after an interrogation into her husband's disappearance turned violent. After she healed from her wounds by imperial loyalists, Kirima joined the fighting proper. Over the course of her fighting, she had led rebel soldiers through forests, conducted raids, and experienced bombing and strafing runs. In personal retellings, she revisits periods where she was alone in the forests and jungles, eating bark and sap to survive. Upon Kenya's independence, she emerged from the trees alongside her fighters, but was sent away with little thanks. Her story echoes that of many other freedom fighters in Kenya who gave everything they had for suffrage and freedom from the empire, but was left empty-handed and expected to rebuild their lives with little help.
Field Marshall Muthoni-Kirima - Resistance Leader and Nationalist
Interview of Kenyan women who fought against the British - includes interview with Field Marshall Muthoni-Kirima
Kenya and the Commonwealth
At this time the only benefit a citizen of the Commonwealth has in Kenya is the ability for British citizens to apply for multiple entry visas. Kenyan citizens are guaranteed by their constitution to freedom of assemblage, vote, to form labor unions, and religion. However, as recently as 2017 there has been serious questions with regard to human rights violations that includes election fraud and violence, abuse of protestors, and an ongoing issue with assault of women. In October of 2018, the Commonwealth sent consultants to work with election officials to reduce the instance of election fraud and promote fairer elections. The secretariat has also sent legal experts to Kenya in an effort to increase the civil rights and protections to women in the country. Since these joint efforts began, Kenya has seen some increase in the presence of women in the economy of the nation, as well as further the goal to give access to more educational opportunities.