Power and the Presidency in Kenya: The Jomo Kenyatta Years

In December 1963, Kenya declared its independence, but it took a year of intense negotiations to become a presidential republic with Jomo Kenyatta as its first president. Power and the Presidency in Kenya reconstructs Kenyatta's political biography, exploring the links between his ability to emerge as an uncontested leader and the deeper colonial and postcolonial history of the country. Angelo describes Kenyatta's presidential style as discreet and distant, shaped by land decolonization, executive powers, and political oppositions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 323 pages
Publication date: 12 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In December 1963, Kenya formally declared its independence, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards self-governance. However, the process of transforming Kenya into a presidential republic took a year of intense negotiations. The road to independence was not without its challenges, and the outcome was not as anticipated by the British colonial authorities or the Kenyan political elite.

Archival records of the independence negotiations reveal that neither the British nor the Kenyans foresaw the emergence of a presidential regime that would grant one man almost limitless executive powers. Even fewer expected Jomo Kenyatta, the country's first president, to remain in office until his death in 1978.

Power and the Presidency in Kenya, written by Angelo, delves into the political biography of Jomo Kenyatta, exploring the intricate connections between his rise to power and the broader colonial and postcolonial history of Kenya. Through a detailed analysis of Kenyatta's presidential style, Angelo highlights how the burning issues of land decolonization, the increasing centralization of executive powers, and the suppression of political opposition shaped Kenyatta's politics.

Telling the story of state building through political biography, Angelo reveals how historical contingency and structural developments shaped both Kenyatta as a man and the presidency as an institution. He demonstrates how Kenyatta's ability to emerge as an uncontested leader was influenced by the complex interplay of factors, including his charisma, political skills, and the historical context of colonialism and postcolonialism.

Angelo's book offers a valuable perspective on the history of Kenya and the presidency, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shaped the country's political landscape. It challenges the notion of a singular, predetermined trajectory of development and emphasizes the role of individuals and institutions in shaping the course of history. By examining the life and career of Jomo Kenyatta, Power and the Presidency in Kenya provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the forces that have shaped Kenya's political and social landscape.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 151 x 227 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108713832