Military decolonisation and Africanisation: the first African officers in the Kenyan army, 1957–1964

On 15 July 1961, the first eight African officers were commissioned into King’s Rifles in Kenya. This was very late to begin Africanising colonial military force. The army, even more than other institutions, neither anticipating nor preparing for independence until it imminent. Then, Africanisation dramatically sped up try and match political progress. article explores how officer corps created Using lists of commissions published Kenya Gazette, shows what types people commissioned, focusing on ethnicity, age, experience, training, education, promotion. Three servicemen commissioned: effendis, with years experience; non-commissioned officers, who briefly trained Britain rapidly promoted; direct-entry better educated, younger, Britain. argues that opportunities decolonisation offered these varied groups men had an impact which lasted decades, as became remained leaders Kenya’s military. Understanding process therefore helps explain trajectory after independence.