For much of Kenya’s post-colonial history, the Kikuyu community has been perceived as a politically and economically dominant group. The rise of Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father, cemented this perception.
His presidency saw the Kikuyu elite become highly influential in business and politics.
However, subsequent decades have seen this influence gradually decline, a trend that accelerated after Daniel Moi’s presidency.
The reasons for this shift are complex, and can be attributed to political machinations, economic decentralisation, changing alliances, and the broader dynamics of Kenyan politics and society.
Moi sought to weaken the dominance of Kikuyu elites who had thrived under the first President’s patronage.
Moi, a Kalenjin, came to power through an uneasy alliance with the Kikuyu establishment. However, he was well aware of the powerful networks that the Kikuyu had built around the presidency and sought to dismantle them.
Moi’s consolidation of power involved systematically weakening Kikuyu political elites. One of his earliest moves was to centralise power within his presidency, sidelining those he saw as rivals, particularly within the Kikuyu political class.
The infamous 1982 coup attempt, which was allegedly supported by some Kikuyu elites, only heightened Moi’s suspicion.
In response, Moi began purging Kikuyu leaders from key government positions and State-controlled enterprises.
He also implemented policies that favoured his home region, the Rift Valley, and marginalised the Kikuyu-dominated central region.
Economically, Moi’s administration targeted Kikuyu businessmen, many of whom had built fortunes during the Kenyatta era.
Mwai Kibaki’s ascension to the presidency in 2002 marked a brief period of Kikuyu political and economic resurgence.
As a Kikuyu himself, Kibaki had broad support from his community and other opposition factions that had grown tired of Moi’s 24-year rule. His presidency saw the Kikuyu reclaiming significant portions of the political and economic landscape that had been lost under Moi.
During Kibaki’s tenure, Kenya’s economy grew significantly, and the Central region, which is predominantly Kikuyu, was among those that benefited from this growth.
Infrastructure development, access to credit, and improved business conditions contributed to the rise of new Kikuyu elites. Nairobi, a city with a substantial Kikuyu population, also emerged as an economic hub, further boosting the community’s economic standing.
The adoption of the 2010 Constitution introduced devolution, which significantly altered Kenya’s political and economic landscape.
On the one hand, counties in Kikuyu-dominated regions now have more control over their development agendas. On the other hand, the economic and political power that once resided in the central government in Nairobi became more distributed across the country, benefiting other communities.
Uhuru Kenyatta assumed the presidency in 2013, a development that initially seemed to promise a continuation of Kikuyu political dominance.
His presidency, however, was marked by a complex legacy for the Kikuyu community. While some Kikuyu elites thrived under his leadership, others argue that the community’s economic and political power continued to wane.
The 2022 general election, which saw William Ruto win the presidency, marked another significant turning point for the Kikuyu community. Ruto’s victory signalled the further erosion of Kikuyu political dominance.
The decline of Kikuyu socioeconomic and political power in Kenya has been a gradual process. While the community remains an important player in Kenya’s political and economic arenas, its dominance is no longer as uncontested as it was in the past.
The writer is a PhD candidate in International Relations
