SST CLASS 8,LESSON 2,JUNE 2020.

POLITICAL  DEVELOPMENT AND SYSTEMS.

EARLY  POLITICAL  ASSOCIATIONS  IN  KENYA

Nairobi Town in 1920.  
Nairobi Town in 2019.
Compare the two pictures of Nairobi in 1920 and 2019

Early political activities in Kenya was started after the country was declared a colony of Bratain in 1920

The Negative Effects Of Colonialism In Kenya

• Africans lost their land to the Europeans
• They were forced to work on Europeans farms in order to get money and pay tax.
• The traditional Africans leaders lost their power
• Africans were paid low wages for their labour

These encouraged Africans to form political associations to fight their rights.

The following were early political associations formed in Kenya.

• The Kikuyu Association -1920
• The Young Kikuyu Association -1921
• The East African Association -1921
• The Young Kavirondo Association -1921
• The Kavirondo Taxpayers Welfare Association -1922
• The Kikuyu Central Association -1925
• The North Kavirondo Central Association -1934
• The Ukambani Members Union -1938
• The Taita Hills Association -1938

Many of these associations were regional

They involved a few communities in each region

1.The Kikuyu Association -1920

-The association was formed by Harry Thuku

-Through the association, people demanded their rights and the return of their land.

-The also demanded members of the association also complained about the Kipande

-People  were required to carry the Kipande wherever they went

-They also complained about taxes they were paying

-The association later form another big organization called the  East African Association (E.A.A).which was the main achievement.

2.The East African Association -1921

-The East African Association  EAA was formed-1921 to include all communities of African origin.

-The founder members of E.A.A were;

• Harry Thuku – Chairman
• M . Ismael
• Molanket Ole Sempele
• K Sentogo
• Kibwana Kombo
• Abdalla Tairara
• Jesse Kariuki
• Joseph Kang’ethe

The association made the following demands.

• That Kenya remains a protectorate and not a colony.
• Election to the legislative council (Legco) be based on a common roll.
• Abolition of the hut tax which was paid by Africans only.
• Provision of better education for Africans
• An end to forced labour.
• A wage increase for Africans
• Compulsory sale of the Africans’ cattle to be stopped.
• Abolition of identification cards (kipande)

-After the arrest  of Hurry Thuku,Joseph Kangethe took over the leadership of the association. However , Africans continued to demand  for the release of Hurry Thuku and better treatment for Africans.

Role played by the E.A.A

1. Ensured that Africans’ grievances were presented to the colonial authorities through memo.
2. Organized rallies to promote unity among Africans’
3. Mobilized people to protest against the colonial government.
4. Advocated the realize of arrested leaders.
5. Negotiated with the colonial government banned all activities of the association and this marked the end of its existence.

Work to do

1. Which one of the following is a rolled played by EAA.

2. Who among the members was not a founder of EAA?

3. Which one of the following is NOT a rolled played by E.A.A.

4. The following are political associations formed in Kenya.Which one is false.

5.Who among the following was the chairman of EAA.

6. After the arrest of the E.A.A Chairman, Africans continued to demand for____

7. Who took over the leadership after the arrest of Hurry Thuku.