| | Following the famous 'Mau Mau' revolt in 1952-56, Kenya experienced a long period of relative political ability under Jorno Kenyatta. During this period the radical and populist tendencies within KANU were squeezed out by the moderate wing whose leaders benefited considerably from their close relations first with British firms, and later with transnational corporations, (TNCs). The Kenyatta period coincided with rising world prices for Kenyan's main exports (tea and coffee), which generated sufficient foreign exchange to fuel rapid economic expansion (4.5% p.a. growth in GDP 1972-80). By 1978, the Kenya state had secured a sufficiently stable political and economic base to survive the leadership transition to Daniel Arap Mol. This coincided with mounting economic difficulties, relating in part to the collapse of world coffee and maize prices; oil price increases; and growing indebtedness. Despite the expectations of many Western commentators and Kenyan politicians, that Moi would in essence be a 'transitional' President, he survived, (arguably stronger) from an alleged coup plot in 1978, an actual coup attempt in 1982 (staged by the Kenya Air Force), and a subsequent power struggle with Charles Njoydo, ex-Minister for Constitutional Affairs, and previously chief political fixer for both Kenyan presidents. That the Kenya state has survived a worsening economic situation, and successive political crises, does not mean that it will necessarily do so in the future. What it does mean, however, is that we need to examine the economic and social bases of this stability. It will be argued that this is to be found, on an organisational level, in the integration of the state with TNCS; and on ideological as well as economic levels, in the policy of creating a small-holder 'kulak' stratum of cash-crop producers. |
