Authoritarianism
Harambee! Harambee Tena!
The first ever fundraiser in Kenya took place in December 1928. It has been 96 years but we still say, Harambee!!! October 1, 2024 The year is 1926. Kenya is under colonial rule. Natives in [more…]
Colonialism
20th Century
A Distant Monument to Unrequited Love
If breaking a journey between Nairobi and Kampala, gentlemen and lady travellers might like to give the city of Nakuru a chance. If it becomes tiresome you can always take a tuk-tuk for a day [more…]
19th Century
Moving the Talai
August 14, 2024 The evidence of colonial Britain’s attempt to eliminate the Talai a century ago is only now coming to light, as the last of the survivors seek justice. Above: Kibore Cheruiyot Ng’asura, 102 [more…]
20th Century
Report From Kenya, 1955 – Part Seven
In 1955, at the height of the Mau Mau Rebellion, my uncle John Alldridge produced a series of reports from Kenya for the Birmingham Mail and the Manchester Evening News – Jerry F Nairobi The [more…]
Authoritarianism
Kenya: Redefining Clientele Chic
On the 60th anniversary of Kenya’s independence, Gathanga Ndung’u writes that the country has spent decades as the loyal servant of imperialism. The country may have express highways, a busy international airport, a modern railway, [more…]
Authoritarianism
Kenya at Sixty: The Death of a Nation
Sixty years after independence we are in a worse position than we were in 1963. Levels of impunity have reached astronomical levels and, thanks to the IMF and an insensitive leadership, we are likely to [more…]
Democracy
Kenya at 60: Field notes from the neo-colony
Despite the veneer of progress, what does a historical critique of East Africa’s capitalist beacon reveal? The linked photograph shows the spectrum of nationalist politics at independence: (from left) Achieng Oneko, who introduced Kenyatta to [more…]
21st Century
Maandamano Follows the Same Path
For Kenya’s Western-controlled political stomachs, with the expected support of Kenya’s Lame Stream, the same agenda continues. Post Ruto’s signing off (or in his case, thumbprint of the Finance Act 2023) under direction of US [more…]
20th Century
Report From Kenya, March 1955
Two years into the Mau Mau emergency, my uncle John Alldridge reported from Kenya for the Manchester Evening News in March, 1955 – Jerry F. Tactical Force Headquarters East Africa Command Nyeri, Kenya, Monday [more…]