Protest culture in Kenya is a dynamic and integral part of the country’s political and social landscape. Rooted in the country’s history of political activism and social justice struggles, protests often serve as a platform for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with government policies, corruption, human rights abuses, and economic challenges
Kenya’s first public ddemonstration or currently known as “Maandamano” was in 1953, months after the colonial government had declared State of Emergency in Kenya in October 1952. Tensions between the White settlers and Africans had escalated, mainly fuelled by the insurgence by the Mau Mau movement.
The Mau Mau had turned brutal, carrying out killing sprees against both whites and Africans who opposed their forced oathing ceremonies. Although the attacks were uncoordinated, around 20 Europeans were killed in a wave of violence across Naivasha, Kitale, and Nyeri.
The killing of Roger Ruck, his wife Esme, and their son Michael at their home in Kinangop on January 24, 1953, was the catalyst that sparked the settlers’ demonstrations against the Mau Mau. They decided to take their grievances directly to Governor Sir Evelyn Baring at Government House, now known as State House.
The settler’s political leader, Michael Blundell, learned about the murders the previous day while en route to a meeting between Legco members and the governor to address the violence.
Upon arriving in Nairobi, hundreds of settlers had already organized a march demanding to meet Baring. They accused him of “foot-dragging and timidity” in handling the Mau Mau uprising and were pressing for a direct meeting with him.
When he tried to address the crowd, his voice was drowned out by the shouts of angry protesters. Upon spotting the Sultan of Zanzibar standing on the balcony, their rage surged. The Sultan, a guest at State House, enraged the white settlers who were demanding a meeting with the governor.
Blundell, in his memoir So Rough a Wind, described the moment as unpleasant, recalling how men and women he had deeply respected lost their composure and hurled insults in fury.
“Looking down over the scene, I saw in front of me a little woman, dressed in brown, who was, in normal times, the respected owner of an excellent shop in Nairobi. She was beside herself with fury and crying out in a series of unprintable words.”
Blundell, along with another official Humphrey Slade, eventually succeeded in quieting the crowd. Nonetheless, the settlers departed from State House without ever meeting with Baring.
