The System · Kenya
Post-Independence Politics
Independent Kenya moved from a dominant-party state to an official one-party state and back to multiparty democracy, finally rewriting its constitution in 2010.
Under Kenyatta, power centralised in the presidency. Daniel arap Moi succeeded him in 1978 and made Kenya a legal one-party state in 1982. Pressure from activists, churches and foreign donors forced a return to multiparty politics in 1991, and Mwai Kibaki's victory in 2002 ended KANU's 39-year rule.
The disputed 2007 election led to violence in which more than 1,100 people were killed. The response included a power-sharing deal and a new constitution, approved by referendum in 2010, which created 47 county governments and a stronger bill of rights.
Timeline
- 1978
Kenyatta dies; Moi becomes president.
- 1982
Kenya made a one-party state; coup attempt fails.
- 1991
Multiparty politics restored.
- 2007–08
Post-election violence.
- 2010
New constitution approved by referendum.
- 2017
Supreme Court annuls a presidential election.
Key vocabulary
- Devolution
- Transferring power from central government to local governments.
- Referendum
- A direct public vote on a single question.
Discussion prompt
What do you think makes a constitution strong enough to be respected?
Quiz time
1. Who succeeded Kenyatta in 1978?
2. In what year was multiparty politics restored?
Answer every quiz question correctly above to mark this sub-topic complete.