Kenya becomes a one party state

Date: 10 Nov 1964
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Almost a year after Kenya gained independencethe Kenya African National Union (KANU) under Jomo Kenyatta and its main opposition party united to form a party with near-complete control over the government. In 1964, Kenyatta had the legislature create the position of president and granted him considerable executive powers. In 1969 Kenyatta banned a new opposition party so he could run unopposed.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01The New York Times, (2011), ‘Dec. 12, 1963 Kenya Gains Independence’, 12 December, [online], available at https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com (Accessed: 01 October 2012)
02Body-Evans A. ‘This day in African history: 10 November’, from About African History, [online], available at www.africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 01 October 2012)

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, November 7). Kenya becomes a one party state. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094038

South African History Online (2012) 'Kenya becomes a one party state', South African History Online, 7 November. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094038 (Accessed: 24 July 2026).

South African History Online, Kenya becomes a one party state [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094038, (accessed 24 July 2026).

"Kenya becomes a one party state." South African History Online, 7 Nov. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094038. Accessed 24 July 2026.

South African History Online. "Kenya becomes a one party state." South African History Online. November 7, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0094038.