To the surprise of the international community – but not those in the know – Kenya exploded into violence after its general election in 2007. A former British colony, Kenya had experienced relative political stability since independence in 1963 under the increasingly authoritarian leadership of national ‘founder’ Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel arap Moi. Moi and his party KANU were finally removed from power in 2002 to be replaced by veteran KANU opposition leader (but former KANU finance minister,) Mwai Kibaki.

Kibaki promised to banish corruption,  but this seemed a hollow claim in the light of the Anglo-Leasing scandal which implicated senior members of the new regime in corrupt deals putting national funds straight into their own bank accounts. Currently under a Kofi Annan brokered coalition government dating from early 2008, Kenyans have just approved their first new constitution since independence.

Kenya has always held a significant position in British Africa policy. This can be attributed to the links maintained by white Kenyan settlers who remain as citizens of the country, well-developed academic links, and Kenya's strategic importance - its coastal ports, and proximity to Somalia (feared to be playing a role in destabilising the region, and spreading Islamic extremism).

Beyond politics Kenya is famous for its great diversity of ethnic groups and classic African wildlife. Tourists flock both to its national parks to see the ‘Big five’, and to its stunning Indian Ocean beaches around which the Arab-influenced towns of Mombasa and Malindi have developed. Kenya is an important gateway for East African trade with its more westerly neighbours, supporting infrastructure and ports to promote transportation of goods further into the continent.

Famous Kenyans include writer/dramatist Ngugi wa Thiongo, Mau Mau liberation fighter Dedan Kimathi and Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai. American President Barack Obama’s father was also Kenyan – a fact that brought great excitement and enthusiasm to the country after his election in 2008.

Recommended readings (available at the RAS bookstore)

Ngugi wa Thiongo: The Wizard of the Crow

Michela Wrong: It’s our turn to eat: the story of a Kenyan whistleblower

Wangari Maathai: Unbowed

Reports of RAS Kenya events

17 March, Litigating colonial atrocity - Mau Mau and Herero

23 Sept 2010, John Githongo: 'What next for Kenya?'

11th January 2010, Kenya: Still on the brink?

9th March 2009, It's Our Turn to Eat: the Story of a Kenyan Whistleblower

15th January 2008, Kenya's Crisis

RAS Analysis

Dr Godrey Musila - ICC fights for survival in Kenya and Sudan

Richard Dowden - Kenya; Raila’s Perfect Storm (23rd Dec, 2010)

Richard Dowden - Trouble brewing in Kenya (14th Dec, 2010)

Mary Harper - Somalis in Kenya: 'They call us ATM machines'

Thomas Obel Hansen  - Will the new constitution lead to a more peaceful Kenya?

Sebastian Köhn  - The Nubian Predicament: A Story about Colonial Legacy, Discrimination, and Statelessness

L. Muthoni Wanyeki - Being a Kenyan

Lionel Nichols  - Inside the Minds of the ICC Judges: Will They Give Ocampo the Benefit of the Doubt in Kenya?

David Backer, Joseph Lahouchuc, James Long  - Addressing the Post-Election Violence: Micro-Level Perspectives on Transitional Justice in Kenya

Key Facts

Useful links

African Development Bank Economic outlook on Kenya.

Columbia University - Kenya African Studies internet resources from Columbia University.

Daily Nation Kenya newspaper, online version.

Kenyan Community Abroad The KCA is a forum in which people of Kenya abroad can meet and discuss ways to support the democratization process in Kenya. Facilitates intelligent discourse on economic, political and social issues that affect Kenyans abroad and Kenyans at home.
Kenya London News Latest news on Kenya, London and the rest of the world.

UPenn - Kenya Country specific internet resources from the University of Pennsylvania African Studies centre.

Government Links Links to every government related site on the web. The database includes national & regional institutions, representations abroad, political parties and additional information such as political resources, tourism, and human rights sites.

Kenya Page Information on Kenya plus links to related sites.

Kenyan Community Abroad The KCA is a forum in which people of Kenya abroad can meet and discuss ways to support the democratization process in Kenya. Facilitates intelligent discourse on economic, political and social issues that affect Kenyans abroad and Kenyans at home.

Kidon Media Link - Kenya Links to newspapers and other media sources.

Misterseed.com Website for the Kenyan community in the UK.

Traditional Music & Cultures of Kenya A non-profit encyclopaedia.

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