Harry Thuku
Encyclopedia
Harry Thuku was born in Kenya
into the Kikuyu ethnic group, one of the groups that lost the largest amount of land to white settlers during the British takeover of Kenya.
In June 1921 Thuku in association with Abdalla Tairara, founded the Young Kikuyu Association
opposing the colonial rule, in July of that same year the organisation changed its name to the East African Association , the first multi-ethnic political organization in East Africa. It campaigned against the kipande
system of pass controls, and the forced labour of women and girls. His interest in the difficulties faced by women meant that, unusually for the time, he was able to involve a number of women in his organisation.
Thuku was arrested in connection with his political activities on 14 March 1922. On the two following days, there were demonstrations to protest his arrest. The first demonstration, on the 15th, passed off peacefully, dispersing after a public prayer for Thuku's safety. On the morning of the 16th, a crowd of 7-8,000 of his supporters gathered around the Nairobi
police station to demand his release from detention. The police eventually opened fire on the demonstrators, killing at least 25 of them. White civilians joined in the shooting, and may have shot some of the protesters in the back. Thuku was exiled, without charge or trial, to the Northern Frontier Province
of Kenya. He was given permission to return to Kiambu
in January 1931.
He remained politically active in the 1930s and 1940s - he founded both the Kikuyu Provincial Association in 1935, and the Kenya African Study Union, the precursor of KAU, in 1944 - before finally devoting himself to farming full time. Notable success as a coffee-farmer followed; Lonsdale reports that in 1959 he was the first African board member of the Kenya Planters Coffee Union.
He was strongly opposed to the Mau Mau movement. On 12 December 1952 he broadcast to the nation, saying that "To-day we, the Kikuyu, stand ashamed and looked upon as hopeless people in the eyes of other races and before the Government. Why? Because of the crimes perpetrated by Mau Mau and because the Kikuyu have made themselves Mau Mau." On 28 January 1954 he joined twenty two other Kikuyu leaders at Kabete in subscribing to an appeal to the people to renounce and denounce Mau Mau.
After independence, Harry Thuku Road in Nairobi
was named for him. He died in 1970.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
into the Kikuyu ethnic group, one of the groups that lost the largest amount of land to white settlers during the British takeover of Kenya.
In June 1921 Thuku in association with Abdalla Tairara, founded the Young Kikuyu Association
Young Kikuyu Association
The Young Kikuyu Association was formed in Kenya on the 10th June 1921, as a break away organisation from the Kikuyu Association . In July 1921 it was renamed the East Africa Association ....
opposing the colonial rule, in July of that same year the organisation changed its name to the East African Association , the first multi-ethnic political organization in East Africa. It campaigned against the kipande
Kipande
In Kenya under British rule the kipande was an identity document which featured basic personal details, fingerprints, and an employment history. The Native Registration Amendment Ordinance of 1920 made it compulsory for African males above the age of 15. The effect of its adoption was to radically...
system of pass controls, and the forced labour of women and girls. His interest in the difficulties faced by women meant that, unusually for the time, he was able to involve a number of women in his organisation.
Thuku was arrested in connection with his political activities on 14 March 1922. On the two following days, there were demonstrations to protest his arrest. The first demonstration, on the 15th, passed off peacefully, dispersing after a public prayer for Thuku's safety. On the morning of the 16th, a crowd of 7-8,000 of his supporters gathered around the Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
police station to demand his release from detention. The police eventually opened fire on the demonstrators, killing at least 25 of them. White civilians joined in the shooting, and may have shot some of the protesters in the back. Thuku was exiled, without charge or trial, to the Northern Frontier Province
North Eastern Province (Kenya)
North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
of Kenya. He was given permission to return to Kiambu
Kiambu
Kiambu is a town in Central Province, Kenya. It is located at around , in the elevation of about 1,720 m. It has an urban population of 13,814. It is the capital of the Kiambu District, which bounds the northern border of Nairobi...
in January 1931.
He remained politically active in the 1930s and 1940s - he founded both the Kikuyu Provincial Association in 1935, and the Kenya African Study Union, the precursor of KAU, in 1944 - before finally devoting himself to farming full time. Notable success as a coffee-farmer followed; Lonsdale reports that in 1959 he was the first African board member of the Kenya Planters Coffee Union.
He was strongly opposed to the Mau Mau movement. On 12 December 1952 he broadcast to the nation, saying that "To-day we, the Kikuyu, stand ashamed and looked upon as hopeless people in the eyes of other races and before the Government. Why? Because of the crimes perpetrated by Mau Mau and because the Kikuyu have made themselves Mau Mau." On 28 January 1954 he joined twenty two other Kikuyu leaders at Kabete in subscribing to an appeal to the people to renounce and denounce Mau Mau.
After independence, Harry Thuku Road in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
was named for him. He died in 1970.
Sources
- David Anderson (2000), "Master and Servant in Colonial Kenya", Journal of African History, 41:459-485.
- Thuku, Harry. Harry Thuku: An Autobiography. Nairobi: Oxford University Press, 1970.
- Harry Thuku explains why he formed a political movement for all East Africans.
- John Lonsdale (2004), "Thuku, Harry", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press.
- Wunyabari Maloba (1998), Mau Mau and Kenya: An Analysis of a Peasant Revolt. Bloomington: Indiana university Press ISBN 0253211662.
- Carl Rosberg and John Nottingham (1966), The Myth of 'Mau Mau': nationalism in Kenya. New York: Praeger.
- Audrey Wipper (1989), "Kikuyu Women and the Harry Thuku Disturbances: Some Uniformities of Female Militancy", Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, 59.3: 300-337.