debate, the council established its first select committee to study the princi- ples and objectives of the Bill. Soon, other races started to agi- tate for
incorporation.The first of these were, the Indians, whose popu- lation had significantly grown and had in 1910 established the East African Indian National Council (EAINC).The EAINC focused its pressure on demands for election to Legco on a common voters’ roll and an unlimited immigration of Indians into Kenya. Following the additional pressure, two significant events hap- pened:
1. A businessman of Indian origin, Mr Alibhai Mullah Jeevanjee was the first non-European nominat ed by the governor to the Legco
2. The Legislative Council Elections Ordinance, 1917 was enacted providing elections for Europeans in 11 electoral dis
tricts.The first elections were held in 1920; though the gover nor retained the power to nomi nate unofficial members suffi cient to ensure government majority in the Legco at all
times.At the same time,Kenya was declared, a British Colony and Protectorate.
The legislative council: 1920-1963 The aftermath of the First World War had significant consequences for the political developments of
Kenya.The following summary provides the key events of the evolution of both the Parliament and the governance in general, including the growth of political parties.
Between World War One and Two 1919 – 1943 1920 - the East Africa Protectorate became the Colony and Protectorate. 1920 - the Legislative Council Elections Ordinance 1917, amended to provide for the elections of two Indians.
1924 - the Legislative Council Elections (Amendment) Ordinance of 1920 was amended: (a) elected Indians increased to five (b) one Arab to be elected; (c) one European Clergy, Rev. J.W. Crowther nominated to represent Africans on Legco;
(d) the Local Native Council
Ordinance enacted, creating local native councils (L.N.C.) for African political life.
1920-24 the African nationalist movement began and organizations such as the East African Association (EAA) and the Kikuyu Central Association (KCA) were established. 1923 - the Devonshire White Paper issued by the British government underlines the supremacy of African interests in the future constitutional development of the colony. 1925 - the Hilton Young report on East Africa re-emphasizes the status of Africans.
1934 - the Legislative Council Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 1924 is amended. 1936 - the Secretary General of the KCA, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, returns to London with more petitions, stays on until 1947.
Multi-racialism to first African Elections: 1944–1957 In 1944, the British government declared official policy to encourage and build a multi-racial society in the colony.
(a) 1944 - nomination of Mr Eliud Wambu Mathu, the first African to Legco
(b) 1946 - Mr Fanwell Walter Odede is nominated acting Member
(c) 1947 - nomination of the second African to Legco, Mr Apollo Beneah Ohanga
(d) 1952 - six more Africans nominated to Legco
(e) 1948 - the governor ceases to be President of the Legco, Hon. William K. Horne appointed the first (President) Speaker
(f) Two Africans, Messrs. James Jeremiah and JJ Arap Chamallan nominated to Legco.
African nationalism gathers momentum:- (a) 1944 - the Kenya African Union (KAU) (later known as the Kenya African Study Union (KASU)) is formed to back-up the work of African legislators;
(b) 1946 - Mzee Jomo Kenyatta becomes the President of KAU
(c) The East African Trade Union Congress(EATUC) is formed at the harbour of Mombasa.
354 The Parliamentarian 2008/Issue Four
In 1952,African nationalists,
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Paul Joseph Ngei, Ramogi Achieng Oneko, Kungu Karumba and Bildad Kaggia are detained.A state of emergency is
declared.The following year in October 1953, the Kenya Federation of Registered Trade Unions (KERTU) is transformed into Kenya Federation of Labour (KFL) with Mr Thomas Joseph Mboya as Secretary- General. The Lyttelton Constitution intro- duced in 1954 followed in 1955 by the establishment of the Coutts Commission to inquire into modali- ties of African representation in Legco:-
First African elections: 1957 The Legislative Council (African Representation) Ordinance, held its first election from 2-10 March 1957, selecting eight Africans to Legco. They included Mr Ronald Gideon Ngala from the coast area, Mr Jeremiah Muimi Nzau from Akamba and Mr Bernard Mate from the cen- tral Kenya region.
The elected Members of the
Legislative Council (EAMLC) vehe- mently opposed the franchise given to African, rejected multi-racialism and demanded release of detained Africans and the end of the state of emergency. In 1958 the Lennox-Boyd consti-
tution was introduced and elected an additional six Africans to
Legco.The ratio of elected Members increased to 14 Africans, 14 Europeans, four Asian non-Muslims, one Muslim and two Arabs – all elected on separate racial
rolls.The constitution also introduced specially elected Members of Legco as well as a state council to “protect any communities against discrimina- tory legislation that could harm their interests”. From 1957-9, the EAMLC oper-
ated as a ‘national party’ rallying African politics, since Africans were still not allowed to form nationwide parties. In 1959, the EAMLC split into two; the Kenya National Party (KNP) lead by Muliro, Ngala,Toweett and Moi; and the Kenya Independence Movement (KIM) led by Odinga, Kiano and Mboya.
Lancaster House constitution conferences: 1960-3 The first Lancaster House constitu-
A Historic Timeline
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