Every empire begins by pretending it brings order. The British said they were bringing “civilization” to Kenya; what they brought to Kisii in 1908 was the hut tax, whips, and the rifle. Today, when Kenyans talk about colonial resistance, the story usually jumps straight to the Mau Mau in the 1950s, or maybe the Giriama … Read more
In February 1947, the port city of Mombasa became the unlikely epicenter of a labor movement that would ripple across Kenya for decades. The dockworkers’ strike that paralyzed East Africa’s busiest colonial port was more than a wage dispute. It was a confrontation between African labor and imperial capital, between colonial indifference and the urgent … Read more
The history of the labour movement in Kenya is deeply connected with the country’s colonial past, economic transformations, and political struggles. As in many African nations under British rule, the emergence of trade unions in Kenya was initially constrained by colonial policies that sought to suppress collective African labour organizing (Mulugeta, 2021). However, through resistance, … Read more
Leadership was once a domain reserved for the elderly, grounded in the logic that accumulated years of observation and reflection naturally translated into wisdom. Drawing from dialectical materialism, knowledge was a progression—from sensory-perceptual experiences to abstract reasoning and intellectual maturity. In this framework, older individuals in any community held the upper hand in understanding and … Read more
Labor scarcity has been a recurring theme in Kenya’s history, influencing societal structures, agricultural practices, and colonial policies. From pre-colonial systems of land use to the exploitative labor practices of the colonial era, labor scarcity profoundly shaped the lives of ordinary Kenyans. This article explores how labor shortages were addressed through innovative systems and how … Read more
Throughout history, many have wondered why individuals who deeply understand justice and possess wisdom are often reluctant to assume leadership roles. Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers in Western thought, offers valuable insights into this paradox. For Kenya, a country that has long grappled with political challenges, this lesson is especially relevant as it seeks … Read more
Kenya’s political landscape, especially in the post-independence era, reveals a slow yet steady progression of women’s participation in governance. From the colonial era, where women had limited roles, to the growing recognition of their significance in leadership roles, Kenya’s political journey for women is marked by challenges, resilience, and a hopeful future. Challenges of Patriarchy … Read more