The Illusion of Power: Reflections on Fifty Years in Kenya PoliticsKariki's political participation dates from 1952, when he pledged an oath to the allegiance of the Gikuyu tribe, the Mau Mau movement and the cause of African unity. Post-independence, he gradually progressed to being a political insider, serving in the Kenyan African National Union (KANU) and the Kenyan Government. In 1983 he was expelled from KANU - the only political party. It is from this outsider-perspective, and in this climate of fear and uncertainty, without the desired freedom of association and access to political colleagues of the period of struggle, that he nevertheless here recounts his experiences of half a century in politics. He holds the belief that political evolution is inexorable; and that knowledge about, and reflection on the past is the only way of preventing the tragedy of yet another generation repeating that which they condemned in their predecessors. |
Contents
Early Political Involvement | 10 |
From Party | 34 |
Rising Into the Political Limelight | 62 |
Anatomy of Political Witchhunting | 85 |
Living Under Siege | 114 |
Moving on With Political Transformation | 126 |
Epilogue | 149 |
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The Illusion of Power: Reflections on Fifty Years in Kenya Politics G. G. Kariuki Limited preview - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
1988 general elections accused African agents allocation Ambuyo appointed Assistant Minister ballot became British campaign candidate Central Province chairman Charles Njonjo co-operative colonial committee constituency coup Daniel arap Moi decided delegation economic elections ethnic farm former freedom fighters Gikuyu harambee independence issue joined KANU KADU KANU KANU branch KANU Governing Council KANU's Kariuki Kenya Kenya Air Force KShs labourers Laikipia District Laikipia West Farmers land landless Lariak leaders Lodwar majimbo major Maralal Mau Mau Mboya meeting Moi's multi-partyism murder Mwai Kibaki Mzee Nairobi Nakuru Nakuru District Ngei Njonjo nomination Nyahururu Nyandarua Nyandarua District Nyeri oath Oginga Odinga organised Parliament parliamentary party police politicians polling stations President Moi problem queuing Rift Valley Province Rumuruti security forces settlement schemes settlers squatters told Tom Mboya took tribes Turkana uhuru unity Vice-President voters votes Wairimu West Farmers Company