Politics and Nationalism in Colonial Kenya: The Case of Babukusu of Bungoma District, C. 1894-1963
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Date
2010
Authors
WEKESA, PETER WAFULA
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
This study focuses on politics and nationalism in Kenya with special reference to
Babukusu of Bungoma District in the period between 1894 and 1963. It examines the
place of Babukusu in Kenya's politics of decolonisation by demonstrating their
contribution to the emergence and development of nationalism. Using an integrated
approach, the study examines the growth of political consciousness among the Babukusu
in the light of the changes in their material conditions posed by the colonial political
economy.
It has been deduced herein that since the inception of colonialism, Babukusu like
other Kenyans elsewpere, offered a concerted political challenge to its existence. This
challenge, as we have shown, can only be adequately explained by taking into account
the fundamental social, economic and political changes, which were introduced during
the colonial period. It was out of their sense of self-realization that a political
consciousness grew, which in essence was a reaction to the unfavourable structures of the
colonial political economy. This political consciousness created a new necessity, namely,
decolonisation that finally led to the liquidation (?f colonial~sm in 1963.
For a clear insight into the theme of politics and nationalism, aspects of the
Bukusu pre-colonial history that are important for understanding their participation in
Kenya's nationalist politics during the colonial period are discussed. It has been
demonstrated ' that the people's social, political and economic structures on the eve of the
colonial rule laid an important basis for understanding the phenomenon of colonial
politics and the nationalist struggle.
In discussing the method and. nature of the establishment of the colonial
administration among the Babuktisu, their initial reactions between 1894 and 1918 to the
setting up ~f colonialism are noted. It is obser~ed that' the' initial wars of resistance
. impacted heavily qn the development of the Bukusu nationalism within this period. The
wars together with the social, economic and political changes introduced by the
colonialists' impacted greatly, on the people's traditional values and institutions. The
Bukusu response, therefore, towards this potent new political force is highlighted.
' During the . inter-war period, Babukusu continued to participate in Kenya's
nationalist politics. Here, the central role the unfair colonial policies continued to play in
I increasing the people's · political activity is emphasized. Other factors like their
experiences in .the First World War, the ~conomic hardships arising from it and the world
depression are highlighted as equally important in unleashing all sorts of hardships within
the period.· As such, both official and non-official avenues adopted by Babukusu in
challenging' the colonial· state and the latter's response to such initiatives are
demonstrated.
Unlike the inter-war period, it is indicated that during and after the Second World I
War the Bukusu nationalist politics intensified both in strength and purpose. The period
became a critical one not only in the Bukusu history but the whole of Kenya in general.
It was within this period that the seeds of African nationalism that were sown before and
during the inter-war years matured with rapid speed into the decolonisation drama and
eventually independence. It is demonstrated that just like the First World War, the
Second World War became an important precipitate in fuelling nationalist unrest among
the Bukusu. The war and post-war time circumstances specifically created the conditions
favourable in shaping local, national and international politics. It was with the
convergence of the foregoing actors that the reality of independence became feasible in
Kenya in 1963.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Politics and Nationalism in Colonial Kenya
Citation
Wekesa, P. W. (2010). Politics and Nationalism in Colonial Kenya: The Case of Babukusu of Bungoma District, C. 1894-1963. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.