Mau Mau Insurgence. Strategic Assessment of Mau Mau Research Paper

Mau Mau Insurgence. Strategic Assessment of Mau Mau - Research Paper Example Kenyans were reacting to the oppressive nature of British rule, and especially to the confining boundaries that British officials had drawn for them in the political, economic, and social spheres.† The Kikuyu tribes had begun to surface their voice back in 1924 when Kikuyu Central Association (KCA) was formed to voice public anger politically. Later on, it was KCA that provided the foundations to Kenya Land Freedom Army (KLFA) or simply known to be LFA. The British settlers were blamed to exploit the powers conferred upon them through imperial rule and land acquisition of more than 43,000 square feet land from Kikuyu peasants. Forced nationalization of live stock and breach of women rights were among the major phenomenon which historically have contributed towards the formation of LFA. John Maina Kahihu from the Mau Mau's political wing said in a post independence interview, "In 1942 we had fought for the British. But when we came home from the war they gave us nothing." (Slaughter, 1999). In the backdrop of this political trust deficit insurrection and insurgence are supposed to be natural phenomenon. Moreover, the freedom of subcontinent states from British colonial rule through a long stretched political struggle in 1948 had already set a precedent for Kenyans. In 1950 Kikuyu tribes Led by Dedan Kimathi, had begun to formulate in the forests of Nairobi to start an armed resistance to British Colonial Empire. The assassination of Senior Chief Waruhui in October 1952 further deteriorated the political efforts for a peaceful solution. Governor declared the state of emergency in the country which gave unlimited powers to British authorities to detain the insurgents and put off the rebellion. The Mau Mau gang was predominately composed of Kikuyu tribesmen who were known for their brutality. To be a part of Mau Mau gang tribesmen had to take an oath to testify that they will endeavor for the ouster of British settlers and colonial rule. The gangs begin to enlarge in early second half of the 20th century. The oath was not considered a free choice by Mau Mau gangs rather they used severe atrocities against their own tribesman who refused to favour their version of British ouster. Mau Mau gangs run door to door campaigns to gather as much power as possible to launch a barbarous insurgency against the colonial rule. Such a movement, especially in a colonial state could not be tolerated long and even a strict British response to this insurgency was solicited by the Colonial Secretary and Governor. The British government planned and executed a successful counter insurgency strategy to tackle the Mau Mau. The major stakeholders of this Kenyan insurgence include the Kikuyu tribes, Dedan Kimathi, the leader of Mau Mau, other Kenyans who joined Mau Mau, the British Colonial authorities in Kenya, British settlers and British Home Office. Kikuyu tribes were gauged to be one fifth of the Kenyan population. They were the major contributor to this insurgence because they had suffered a lot in the past and had only fewer things to lose in case of a fresh bloodshed. Kikuyu tribes were the occupant of the most fertilized land in Kenya which was later on taken over by the British settlers. The president of Kenya African Union, Jomo Kenyatta tried to mollify the