African Socialism and the Rise and Rise of Conservative Nationalism

Abstract

African Socialism and the Rise of Conservative Nationalism. This chapter provides a detailed analysis of African Socialism and why Kenyatta chose to endorse it and make it the “guiding light” of his government. Kenyatta’s government’s argument that in fact capitalism (endorsed by African Socialism) was an African ideology, indigenous, and therefore legitimate. On the other hand, Communism (socialism) was alien, strange, anti-African and hence dangerous. Those who endorsed it were not only dangerous but stooges of foreign powers and ideologies. Western responses to African Socialism; estimations by these intelligence services on the impact of African Socialism on their imperial interests in Kenya (and Africa) are considered. This chapter also deals with the final ideological struggles in Kenya; local critiques of African Socialism (including one by Barak Obama, the father of President Obama); the break-up of the ruling party and the formation of the KPU (a radical political party) by Oginga Odinga and then the all-out campaign for its demise launched by Kenyatta and actively supported by the British intelligence services and the CIA. The rise of political rivalries within the Conservative camp, political assassinations and the eventual eradication of all political opposition; consolidation of conservative nationalism endorsed by the West; the reality of “imperial presidency” also feature in the discussion.