Political Developments and Struggle for Independence in Kenya (1919 - 1963) - History Form 3 Topical Revision Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS

Mention one reform resulting from the Littleton constitution of 1954. ( 1 mark)
Mention the amendment made on the Kenyan constitution that reverted the country back to a multi- party state. (1m)
Give the main role of opposition political parties in Kenya.
1. State five methods which were used by African Nationalists in Kenya during the struggle for independence. (5 marks)
2. Explain five factors that promoted the growth of African Nationalist activities in Kenya between 1945 and 1963. (10 marks)
Apart from Kenya African National Union (KANU) name three other political parties formed in Kenya between 1960 and 1963. 3 marks
Identify two African elected to the legislative council in 1957 (2mks)
Name the main currency used in Kenya before 1919
Main difference between KANU and KADU during the 2nd Lancaster house Conference London 1962
1. Three roles played by the African chiefs in Kenya during the colonial period 3mks
2. Six factors that enabled the Mau mau freedom fighters to fight with the British for a long time 12mk
State two characteristics of the Independent churches and schools in Kenya during the colonial period. (2mks)
1. Give five methods used by the African Nationalists in Kenya in their struggle forIndependence (5mks)
2. Explain any five results of Mau Mau uprising in Kenya (10mks)
Give the reasons why KANU declined to form government despite having won in the 1961 election (1mrk)
State two reasons why independent schools were established in Kenya ( 2 mks)
1. State five problems that faced the early political organizations in Kenya upto 1939 ( 5 mks)
2. Explain the factors that promoted African nationalism in Kenya between 1945 – 1963 ( 10 mks)
State the incident which led to the declaration of the state of emergency in October 1952 (1mk)
Identify two roles played by Harry Thuku in promoting the interests of the east Africa associate 2mks.
Name the trade union that served as an umbrella for all Trade Unions in Kenya during the colonial period (1mk)
Give one demand made by the African Elected Member’s Organization (AEMO) during the struggle for independence in Kenya (1mk)
1. State five factors which undermined African Nationalistic activities in Kenya between 1939 and 1963 (5mks)
2. What five roles did the Kenya African Union (KAU) play in promoting Nationalism in Kenya between 1944 and 1953 (10mks)

MARKING SCHEME

Mention one reform resulting from the Littleton constitution of 1954. ( 1 mark)
1. It led to the establishment of a multi-racial council of ministers made up of officials & unofficial member. This new council replaced the executive council.
2. African members were elected to the Leg. Co.
3. Africans were offered one ministerial position.
4. Africans were allowed to form political organisations whose functions were confined to district levels.
5. Led to establishment of an advisory council to discuss government policies. (Any 1 x 1 =1 mark)
Mention the amendment made on the Kenyan constitution that reverted the country back to a multi- party state. ( 1 mark)
- The repeal of section 2A in December 1991. (1 x 1 =1 mark)
Give the main role of opposition political parties in Kenya.
- To provide a system of checks and balances to the government of the day, to guard against excess/to act as a check on the government.
  (Any 1 x 1 =1 mk)
1. State five methods which were used by African Nationalists in Kenya during the struggle for independence.
  1. Nationalists attended constitutional conferences to present their grievances.
  2. African in the Leg-co pressurised the colonial government to hasten decolonisation programme.
  3. They used trade unions to popularise the course of the struggle among workers.
  4. Organised strikes & boycotts.
  5. They enlisted public sympathy through the press.
  6. Formed political parties that coordinated nationalist activities.
  7. Used violence/armed struggle against colonial government. Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks
2. Explain five factors that promoted the growth of African Nationalist activities in Kenya between 1945 and 1963.
  1. The experience of the ex-service men made them more informed of world affairs on their return.
  2. The labour government which came to power in 1945 was more responsible to the demand for self rule in the colonies.
  3. The constitutional changes initiated by the colonial government in Kenya promoted Nationalist activities e.g. the Littleton constitution of 1954 provided elections for Africans to the Leg-co for the first time.
  4. The UNO recommended for self determination for the colonised communities as a right it also provided a forum where colonizers were urged to liberate colonial people.
  5. Examples provided by the India’s and Ghana’s independence, in 1947 & 1957 showed African Nationalists in Kenya that Independence was achievable.
  6. Mau mau movement consolidated the Nationalist struggle and brought into direct confrontation with the colonial government thus giving an impetus to the nationalist struggle.
  7. Lifting of ban on political parties
  8. The activities of trade unions promoted the growth of African nationalists activities especially in urban centres.
  9. Education
    Any 5 x 2 = 10 marks
Apart from Kenya African National Union (KANU) name three other political parties formed in Kenya between 1960 and 1963.
1. Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU)
2. African peoples party (APP)
3. New Kenya Party (NKP) Any 3 x 1 = 3 marks
Identify two African elected to the legislative council in 1957 (2mks)
- Tom Mboya
- Oginga Odinga
- Lawrence Ogunda
- Ronald Ngala
- Daniel Moi
- Bernand Mate
- James Muimi 2x1mk = 2mks
The main currency used in Kenya before 1919
- Indian Rupee 1 x 1 = 1mk
Main difference between KANU and KADU during the 2nd Lancaster house Conference London 1962
- KANU wanted a military Government while KADU was for a federal system of Government of Majimbo 1 x 1 = 1mk
1. Three roles played by the African chiefs in Kenya during the colonial period
  - Collected taxes
  - Recruited labour for settlers farms
  - Maintenance of law and order
  - Settled minor disputed
  - Made colonial policies acceptable
  - Persuaded Africans to accept foreign ideas e.g. Western education medicine e.t.c. Any 3 x 1 = 3mks
2. Six factors that enabled the Mau mau freedom fighters to fight with the British for a long time
  - The movement was led by able leaders
  - Fighters used guerrilla warfare which made it difficult for the British government to contain the rebellion
  - The Mt. Kenya and Aberdares forests provided good hide outs for the Mau mau fighters
  - Oathing united people and this made them to be committed to the cause
  - The fighters had adequate weapons which enabled them to persist/continue fighting
  - Some of the fighters were ex-service men and were therefore able to apply the military experience they had gained in the first and second world wars
  - The civilian population sustained the rebellion by supplying food, weapons and in formation.
  - The movement received moral and material support from independent African countries. Any 6 x 2 = 12mks
State two characteristics of the Independent churches and schools in Kenya during the colonial period. (2mks)
- They were formed/started by the Africans
- They accommodated African cultural beliefs/values
- Africans held senior positions/they were led by the Africans
- The churches worked closely with African Political Association
- They value Western education and Christian
1. Give five methods used by the African Nationalists in Kenya in their struggle for Independence (5mks)
  - Advocacy through the international bodies such as UNO, AU, common wealth,
  - Presented there grievances to the colonial secretary e.g in 193
  - .Kenyatta went to London
  - Armed struggle by Mau Mau.
  - Strikes and boycotts, sit ins
  - Demonstration / peaceful demonstrations / protests
  - Use of trade unions to agitate for African rights
  - Public rallies
  - Mass media
  - Formation of political parties – KAU,KANU.
  - Composed songs
  - Constitutional negotiations
  - e.g Lyttleton constitution, the Lennox Boyd constitution. 5 x 1 = 5mks
2. Explain any five results of Mau Mau uprising in Kenya (10mks)
  - Many Africans were arrested and detained.
  - The government restricted African political parties e.g KAU was banned in 1953.
  - Led to establishment of emergency villages created to alienate civil society from the fighters
  - Led to declaration of state of emergency in Kenya in 1952 with so many restrictions
  - It breds bitterness among the Gikuyu members since they were divided between the government loyalties and Mau Mau.
  - Kenyan resources were depleted by war and economic activities like Agriculture, trade and industries disrupted
  - Attracted attention of British and international community
  - Speeded up the march to independence
  - The power and influence of settlers were reduced since it was the cause of African bitterness
  - Kipande system was modified to pure identity card demands
  - Land reforms measures such as land consolidation were adopted
  - Political reforms were initiated e.g lift on ban against political parties. 5 x 2 = 5mks
Give the reasons why KANU declined to form government despite having won in the 1961 election ( 1 mk)
- Wanted release of Kenyatta. (Any 1 x 1 = 1 mk)
State two reasons why independent schools were established in Kenya ( 2 mks)
1. To give African children more opportunities for formal eduction.
2. To address discrimination in the education system ( leadership)
3. To preserve the African cultural identity.
4. To preserve the African cultural identity.
5. To provide job opportunities for African teachers. (Any 2 x 1 = 2 mks.
1. State five problems that faced the early political organizations in Kenya upto 1939 ( 5 mks)
  1. Arrest and deportation of their leaders/ harassment and detention.
  2. The organization were banned by the colonial government.
  3. They were ineffective because of ethnicity / rivalry and suspicion within and among political parties / were district based.
  4. They organizations lacked the support of the masses.
  5. They lacked funds to promote their activities.
  6. The leaders lacked organizational skills.
  7. The members were denied the freedom of association and movement.
  8. The organizations were denied access to the media. (any 5 x 1 = ( 5 mks)
2. Explain the factors that promoted African nationalism in Kenya between 1945 – 1963 ( 10 mks)
  1. The Africans by then had acquired western education that made them air grievances more forcefully/ They were able to know the various developments taking place.
  2. The experience the solders got after world war II, giving them political determination for independence.
  3. The granting of independence to Indian and Pakistan in 1947 which aroused great confidence among Africans in Kenya.
  4. The Atlantic charter ( 911 signed bet Winston Churchill and USA president Franklin Delano Roosevelt / All subjects after war were to enjoy the right is self determination.
  5. Spirit of Pan Africanism.
  6. The labor party in Britain favoured decolonization. USA/ USSR as supper powers both supported decolonization.
  7. The World War II drained the treasures of European countries Britain & trace.
  8. The United Nations (UN) formed after the war advocated the grating of political freedom to all. Any 5 x 2 10 mks
    ANS 9,10, 19 DIST 7
State the incident which led to the declaration of the state of emergency in October 1952
- Mau Mau movement (1mk)
Identify two roles played by Harry Thuku in promoting the interests of the east Africa associate
- He published the association memoranda through the east African chronicles
- Travelled all over the country addressing large meetings 2x1=2mks.
Name the trade union that served as an umbrella for all Trade Unions in Kenya during the colonial period (1mk)
- Kenya federation of labour. for abbreviation give 1⁄2 mk 1 x 1 = 1mk)
Give one demand made by the African Elected Member’s Organization (AEMO) during the struggle for independence in Kenya (1mk)
1. Wanted more seats in the Legco to make the Africans majority.
2. Demanded for the immediate end of the state of emergency.
3. Demanded for the release of African detainees.
4. Increase of African wages.
5. Adult suffrage on a common role.
6. Political independence and self governance.
7. Open the Kenya highlands for all races. Any 1x1 = 1mk.
1. State five factors which undermined African Nationalistic activities in Kenya between 1939 and 1963 (5mks)
  1. Harassment/ detention/ killing/ jailing of the Nationalist e.g Jomo Kenyatta, Oneko, Ngei etc.
  2. Banning of political organization especially during the Declaration of the State of Emergency.
  3. Disunity among the nationalists.
  4. Lack of funds
  5. Denial to mass media to the Africans
  6. Use of mass media by the colonial government to discredit the activities of the nationalist
  7. Betrayal from other Africans e.g. home guards
  8. Leadership wrangles
  9. Poor transport and communication
  10. Hostility from mission churches
  11. Illiteracy of the Kenyan masses. 5x1 =5mks
2. What five roles did the Kenya African Union (KAU) play in promoting Nationalism in Kenya between 1944 and 1953 (10mks)
  1. It influenced the British colonial government to increase African representation in the Legislative Council (Legco)
  2. It opened up branches in various parts of the country to educate the Africans on the need to unite against Europeans domination.
  3. It published its own paper, Sauti ya Mwafrika to popularize its objectives throughout the country.
  4. It supported Eliud Mathu who was appointed to the Legislative Council in various ways.
  5. It presented the African grievances of Africans in international fora.
  6. It supported the activities of Mau Mau freedom fighters by giving them moral and material support.
  7. It provided leadership for Nationalist struggle.
  8. It laid the foundation for the formation of KANU which led Kenya to independence.
  9. It organized rallies in most parts of the country to create awareness on the rights of the Africans.
  10. It held discussions with the colonial government about Kenya’s political future.
  11. It supported trade unions 5x2 = 10mks