Books

Ramogi Achieng’ Oneko’s public life is a story of resilience and courage, as well as sacrifice and betrayal, in the pursuit of the State that Kenyans have yearned for. Oneko was among the most consequential figures in the struggle for Kenya’s independence in the 1950s and in the early 1960s, collectively known as the Kapenguria Six, after the sham trial they endured in Kapenguria, northwestern Kenya, following their arrest on 20 October 1952. Also arrested alongside Oneko by the British colonial authorities in the Kenya Colony were Jomo Kenyatta, Paul Ngei, Bildad Kaggia, Kung’u Karumba, and Fred Kubai. This book is a narrative of Oneko’s heroic life and times, largely as told by himself, and also carefully reconstructed from notes he left behind at the time of his death in 2007. It also draws from other historical sources and authorities, including primary source eye-witness accounts, to give a powerful eye–opener to the true story of the elusive quest for a Kenyan nation. The narrative explores key debates surrounding land, nationalism, governance, and post-independence state formation. Through Oneko’s reflections, you get to gain insight into the aspirations and tensions that accompanied the transition from colonial rule to self-government. This volume is an invaluable addition to the repository of the Kenyan narrative, for anyone interested in the country’s true story.