The history of the Kenya Executive Council from 1907 to 1939

Abstract

This is a study of the evolution, activities and nature of the Executive Counc i.I in Kenya between the years 1907 and 1939. It is based on documentary sources in archives and libraries both in Kenya and in Britain; on som e amount; of correspondence between the cand idat.e and s orne informants; and on oral interviews with certain other informants who were familiar with personalities and issues during this period. The study is set in the context of the colonial situation in Kenya, and divided into two parts. The first part provides a portrait of the colonial society by reviewing the ideas and problems of the various lobbies that were clamouring at one stage or another for representation into the EXecutive Council. These are identified as the Europeans, especially the settlers, the Asians and the Missionaries on behalf of the Africans. Each of these groups is given lengthy treatment, largely because hitherto information about these various groups has been scattered, and in some cases no ~tails have been known about what they stood for. Cases in point are the settlers and the mi.ssionar ies.. Paucity of detail'S as to what they actually though, wrote and said has necessitated original research into their activities and beliefs. The Africans have been brought into the study