4.6.2
Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising
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Relations Between Britain and Kenya, 1947-1967
The Mau Mau Uprising 1952-1960 remains one of the least-known but most-controversial events in recent British colonial history.
Relations between the Kikuyu and the British
- The Kikuyu were historically oppressed by the British.
- The British had favoured the Masai and stripped the Kikuyu of the most fertile land in Kenya.
- A military branch within the Kikuyu (Mau Mau) began a series of high-profile and violent attacks on white people and people who refused to join the Mau Mau, swearing an oath.
- In 1952, Sir Evelyn Baring declared a state of emergency in Kenya and arrested Kenyatta, the nationalist leader. Despite little evidence, Kenyatta was convicted and sent to prison for 7 years.
Response to the Mau Mau rebellion
- In 1952, all black African political rights were suspended.
- 17,000 Mau Mau suspects were arrested. 1,000 Kikuyu were hanged in response to the deaths of 70 Europeans. Again, British supposed 'superiority' and 'civility' looked questionable.
- Kenyatta was imprisoned despite little evidence tying him to the extremist Mau Mau killings. Kenyatta's beliefs were nationalist and he wanted self-governance for Kenya.
British army response to the Mau Mau rebellion
- The British Army moved thousands of soldiers to Kenya and the RAF supported the Army against the Mau Mau.
- This guerrilla war lasted for 8 years.
- Kikuyu villages and homes were destroyed in the search for Mau Mau sympathisers.
- The Mau Mau surrendered in 1963 after Kenya became independent.
The Hola Camp Massacre, 1959
- In 1959, 11 Mau Mau prisoners were beaten to death by guards, with 77 severely injured.
- The British colonial government tortured and killed these individuals.
- Initially, a cover-up claimed that water pollution was responsible for the 11 individuals' deaths.
The Legacy of the Mau Mau Uprising
The Mau Mau Uprising 1952-1960 remains one of the least-known but most-controversial events in recent British colonial history.
Historical memory
- Official figures suggest 11,000 Mau Mau were killed in the uprising. The Kenya Human Rights Commission said 90,000 Kenyans were executed.
Suppressed information
- As the Mau Mau movement was banned until 2003, information about British conduct during the fight against the Mau Mau was scarce.
- However, according to The Times (2011), there are still ‘thirteen boxes’ of files missing relating to the 'Mau Mau abuse case'.
The quest for justice
- In 2002, the Mau Mau Trust announced it would attempt to sue the British Government, calling on four of the victims (Ndiku Mutua, Paulo Nzili, Wambugu Wa Nyingi, and Jane Muthoni Mara) to recount their stories.
- Ndiku Mutua reports being castrated by British-supported troops using a pair of pliers.
- In 2005, the Kenyan government called for an apology from the British government.
- In 2013, William Hague (then Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs) agreed to a settlement of almost £20 million but no apology was granted.
- In September 2015, the British government funded a memorial statue for the Mau Mau in Nairobi.
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
Jump to other topics
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
Practice questions on Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising
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- 2Complete the statistics for the aftermath of the Mau Mau uprising. Fill in the list
- 3Complete the statistics for the Mau Mau Uprising. Fill in the list
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