Kenya: Our History our Future

1. Kenya: Our History our Future A presentation to Association of Kenyans in Diaspora Bridgewater State college Boston 17th-20th July 2009 By Rapaine Ole Koissaba Ben Partnership for Change/NCSC Ole Koissaba 09

2. Members • Coast Land Advocacy • Kenya Land Alliance • Muungano wa Wanavijiji • Maa Civil Society Forum • Shelter Forum • Kikuyus For Change • Rift Valley Youth Alliance • National Coalitions of IDPs • RECONCILE • KNCHR • KHRC • Youth Agenda • Mars Group • National Civil Society Congress • Partnership For Change Ole Koissaba 09

3. Ee Mungu Nguvu yatu,Ilete Baraka KwetuHaki iwe Ngao na UliziNa tukae na undugu Amani na UhuruRaha Tupate na Ustawi Ole Koissaba 09

4. Early Contacts • 14th Century contacts with ancient Greeks and Chinese . • 16th Century Portuguese explorers- Vasco-Da Gama • 18Th Century Arabian conquests • Emergence of new culture • Africans lost sovereignty • Destruction of African values • Emergence of the Swahili language • Slavery Ole Koissaba 09

5. The European Conquests • 1849 First Contacts by CMS Missionaries' Krapf and Rebmann • In 1883 Joseph Thompson became the first European to traverse Maasai territory. • In 1886, Germany and Britain signed a treaty • 1887 Sir WILLIAM MACKINNON founded the Imperial British East Africa Company (IBEAC) designed to open the hinterland for British trade; the company obtained a concession from Sultan Bargash of Zanzibar for the Sultanate's territory on the coast within the British sphere of interest, for fifty years • 1899. Nairobi made the capital • 1904 Anglo Maasai Agreements • Scramble for Kenya land and other resources • Converts • Africans were not consulted • They were dispossed of their indigenous lands and other resources • Leadership structures disorganized • Forced into provide cheap labor to new European enterprises Ole Koissaba 09

6. Resistance to external occupation by the Indigenous Communities • 1895-1899, The Luo and Luhya resisted • 1895-1906, The Nandi • 1904-1907, The Kikuyu and Embu revolted • 1907-1914. The Kisii • 1913- The Maasai file case in court • 1921 Young Kikuyu Association, Kenya's first all-African political organization. • Kenya African Union (KAU), was established in 1944. • 1953- The Mau Mau revolution • 1962- Maasai walk out of Lancaster conference • 12th December 1963 Kenya It declared independence • Repressive action against the communities that revolted. • Many Africans lost lives. • Africans put in concentration camps • Displacements and loss of land • Denial of opportunity for self expression and denial of justice Ole Koissaba 09

7. Immediately after Independence. Enter Kenyatta . Ambitious resettlement programs . Creation of the Million acre scheme in the Rift Valley . Formation of Land buying companies- GEMA, Nyakinyua, Ngwatanoro- mostly form central province . Changing of Constitution- Creation of executive presidency. . Political fall out- Jaramogi and Murumbi . Threat of cessation by NFD – Massive killings . Appointment of Moi- To silence Rift Valley . Political assassinations and disappearances. .LAND ACQUISITION WAS THE DRIVING FORCE • Feeling of political and economic marginalization by the Luo, Maasai, Somalis etc. • Introduction of over 22 laws that have a direct relationship with land • Privatization of land and sanctity of the Title emphasized in disregard of whether the processes were legal • Trust Land titles for all the community land. • The president abrogates powers to control land. Ole Koissaba 09

8. Moi and Fuata Nyayo • Political Marginalization of communities perceived to be anti system • Political detainees • State sponsored land grabbing • Sponsored repression – The Wagalla Massacre, Nakuyen Massacre etc • Political patronage • Tribal clashes • Emergence of vibrant civil society • Repealing of Section 2A of the constitution • Multi Party • Moi must GO • Looting of national coffers • Environmental destruction • Land grabbing mania • Tribal Politics. • Blood letting- 82 coup/ Sabasaba revolt • Community conflicts and tribal clashes- 1992/97 • Demonization of the Kikuyus • Decline in the economy Ole Koissaba 09

9. Kibaki and the MoU • Dis-houring of the MoU • Political fall out • Sense of revenge by certain communities. • Continuation of corruption in the echelons of power • Defeat of the draft constitution. • Clamor for historical injustice by some communities- coast, Rift Valley and Central Province. • The land policy formulation Process • Resurgence of land base pressure groups • Maasai , the Ogieks and Coastal people demonstrations. • Clashes in Naivasha, Baringo, NE • Government high handedness response- Arrests, killings and deregistration of Civil society organizations. • Increase in tribal coalitions • Disunited government • Upsurge of rights based CSOs • Resurgence of unlawful armed groups • Loss of life and destruction of property • Tribal politics • Rampant big time corruption • Police and pre-judicial Killings • Disappearances • The Stolen election • Elections Violence Ole Koissaba 09

10. Post 2007 Elections The National Accord • Formulation of Coalition Government • CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM-12 months • INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: THE JUDICIARY-12 months. • INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: THE POLICE-12 months • INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: THE CIVIL SERVICE • INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: THE PARLIAMENT • LAND REFORM • POVERTY,INEQUALITY AND REGIONAL IMBALANCES • POVERTY,INEQUALITY AND REGIONAL IMBALANCES • CONSOLIDATING NATIONAL COHESION AND UNITY • TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, IMPUNITY Ole Koissaba 09

11. Observations • Kenyans have been subjected to historical injustices over the last 150 years. • Tribal polarization. • Increased level of poverty. • Increased crime rates. • Dispossession ,displacements and land grabbing • Increase in state orchestrated corruption. • Loss of life and destruction of property • Politically instigated political mistrust • Increased disparities in access to resources for development. Ole Koissaba 09

12. What is your role in shaping the future • To Change leadership- Responsive, Responsible and Respectable leadership • Change the culture of impunity • Build Nationhood. • Reduce poverty • Equity distribution. • Accountability for our past • Quality education for all. Ole Koissaba 09