Mau Mau Rebellion: The Emergency in Kenya 1952-1956

In The Mau Mau Rebellion, the author describes the background to and the course of a short but brutal late colonial campaign in Kenya. The Mau Mau, a violent and secretive Kikuyu society, aimed to restore the proud tribe’s pre-colonial superiority and rule. The 1940s saw initial targeting of Africans working for the colonial government and by 1952 the situation had deteriorated so badly that a State of Emergency was declared. The plan for mass arrests leaked and many leaders and supporters escaped to the bush where the gangs formed a military structure. Brutal attacks on both whites and loyal natives caused morale problems and local police and military were overwhelmed. Reinforcements were called in, and harsh measures including mass deportation, protected camps, fines, confiscation of property and extreme intelligence gathering were employed. War crimes were committed by both sides.

As this well researched book demonstrates the campaign was ultimately successful militarily, politically the dye was cast and paradoxically colonial rule gave way to independence in 1963.

Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgements vii

Maps ix

Introduction 0

Chapter 1 British East Africa 1

Chapter 2 The Colonization of Kenya 17

Chapter 3 The Emergence of the Mau Mau 28

Chapter 4 Declaration of the Emergency 46

Chapter 5 The Crisis Deepens 66

Chapter 6 The Military Response 87

Chapter 7 Brigade Operations June/July 1953 100

Chapter 8 Consolidation 1953 122

Chapter 9 Opening the Offensive 1954 142

Chapter 10 The Initiative Seized 156

Chapter 11 The Defeat of Mau Mau 1955 181

Chapter 12 Mopping Up and Independence 205

Conclusion 224

Appendix A Order of Battle 226

Appendix B Casualties 228

Glossary 231

Bibliography 233

Index 237