Jomo Kenyatta - history.

« the challenge to his leadership and appealed for Kikuyu ethnic solidarity.

The 1969 assassination of cabinet minister Tom Mboya—a Luo ally of Kenyatta’s—by a Kikuyu ledto months of tension and violence between the Luo and the Kikuyu.

Kenyatta banned Odinga’s party, detained its leaders, and called elections in which only KANU wasallowed to participate.

For the remainder of his presidency, Kenya was effectively a one-party state, and Kenyatta made use of detention, appeals to ethnic loyalties, andcareful appointment of government jobs to maintain his commanding position in Kenya’s political system.

Kenyatta was reelected president in 1969 and 1974, unopposedeach time.

Until the mid-1970s Kenya maintained a high economic growth rate under Kenyatta’s leadership, due to a favorable international market for Kenya’s mainexports and external economic assistance. After 1970 Kenyatta’s advancing age kept him from the day-to-day management of government affairs.

He intervened only when necessary to settle disputed issues.

Criticsmaintained that Kenyatta’s relative isolation resulted in increasing domination of Kenya’s affairs by well-connected Kikuyu who acquired great wealth as a result.

Despitesuch criticism, however, no serious challenge to Kenyatta’s leadership emerged.

Kenyatta died in office in 1978 and was succeeded by Kenyan vice president Daniel arapMoi.

Moi pledged to continue Kenyatta’s work, labeling his own program Nyayo (Swahili for “footsteps”).

Kenyatta was revered after his death as the father of modern Kenya.

His published works include Suffering Without Bitterness (1968), a collection of reminiscences and speeches. Contributed By:Robert M.

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