Kenyan nationalism grew in phases.

Between 1919 - 1940, a number of quasi-political associations were formed. These included the Kikuyu Central Association, the Young Kikuyu Association, the Young Kavirondo Association, the Ukamba Members' Association and the Taita Hills Association of 1938. These welfare Associations were the nursery beds of Kenyan nationalism. They mainly demanded land reforms.

The emergence of independent schools. Due to discrimination in the education field, the Kikuyu independent schools and Kikuyu Karinga Education Associations were formed. They aimed at giving standard education to Africans as opposed to European dilute education for Africans.

The emergence of independent Churches. A conflict arose between white missionaries and African clergy concerning the customs of circumcision and polygamy.

The formation of KAU in 1944. The Kenya African Union was formed by Eliud Mathu and James Gichuru, Some historians say it was formed in 1946, The KAU was a moderate nationalist party which opposed colour bar, called for land, constitutional and political reforms.

Appointments of Africans to the Legco. In 1944, Eliud Mathu was appointed to be the first African representative on the colonial legislative Assembly- In 1946, the number was increased to two, then to four in 1948 and to five in 1951. This was a step forward towards independence.

The return of ex-service men. In 1945 and 1946, a number of Kenyan soldiers returned after the end of the 2nd world war and started influencing the course of Kenya's politics e.g Bildad Kaggia returned in 1946 and both joined the KAU and the independent church movement in which he became an inspiring leader.

The return of Jomo Kenyatta to Kenya. Kenyatta who had been away for 15 years of study in England, returned to Kenya in 1946 and was soon made president of the KAU. Having witnessed Western democracy and having attended the 1945 Manchester conference, he gave the KAU new life and better organisation. However his methods of struggle were non-violent. He put his Headquarters at Githunguri Training College.

The formation of the Fourty group. In 1946, radical members of the KAU-mainly ex-service men formed a militant wing of the KAU- the Anake wa 40 or Fourty group which opted for violence as a means of obtaining independence. They were unhappy with KAU's gradualist approach and resorted to physical assault and intimidation. However it at first operated underground.

The visit of the colonial secretary to Kenya. In 1951, the British colonial secretary visited Kenya and met the leaders of the KAU. The KAU representatives presented the colonial secretary with a memorandum asking for equal African representation with whites and Asians on the Legco and an end to colour bar,

The outbreak of the Mail Mau rebellion. In 1952, the Fourty group formed the Kenya land and Freedom Army and started raiding the white men's farms, mutilating cattle, looting Asian shops etc. The land Freedom Army (Mau Mau) awakened colonialists who started addressing the needs of Kenyans.

Declaration of a state of emergence. In October 1952, Governor Sir Evelyn Baring declared a state of emergency which lasted up to 1960. This forced a number of Kikuyu to the bush so as to avoid being tortured in detention camps.

The banning of political parties. In 1953, the KAU was banned and its leaders Kaggia , Kenyatta, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei and Kungu Karumba were imprisoned. This made the Trade Unions to step up and keep the nationalistic zeal. Trade Unions survived under Chege Kibachia, Torn Mboya , Makhan Singh and others,

Formation of a multi-racial executive. All along, Kenya's executive council was dominated by whites but in 1954, the first African, B.A. Ohanga was appointed minister for Community Development. This was a big political step towards independence

The Release of political parties. In 1955, political party activities were allowed once again but with restrictions e.g they were to operate at provincial but not at a national level. Among the earliest parties were the Nairobi District African Congress formed by Argwings-Kodhek in 1956 and the Nairobi Peoples' Convention Party by Tom Mboya-

The 1957 elections to the Legco was a land mark in Kenya's path to independence. Six Africans , including Oginga Odinga for Central Nyanza, Tom Mboya for Nairobi Daniel Arap Moi for the rift Valley and Ronald Ngala for the coast constituency were elected and strongly advocated for reforms. In 1958, Alan Lennox Boyd increased the African membership on the Legco to 14. All the elected parliamentarians demanded for the release of Kenyatta and adopted a slogan "Uhuru na Kenyatta".

In 1959, African representatives on the Legco boycotted the Legislative council meetings so as to pressurize for the release of Kenyatta and the making of an independence constitution for Kenya. In 1959, the colonial government allowed national political parties to be formed. Hence in July and August 1959, the Kenya National Party and Kenya Independence Movement were formed

In 1960, the first constitutional conference was held at Lancaster House-London. It was chaired by the Liberal Macleod (the new colonial secretary) who lifted the ban on political parties and expanded African membership on both the Legco and executive.

Creation of new political parties. In March 1960, the KANU-Kenya African National Union was formed with James Gichuru as acting president- other wise its real president was the detained Kenyatta. Mboya Tom was its general secretary and Oginga Odinga its vice president. It was a Kikuyu - Luo party. The KADU (Kenya African Democratic Union) was also formed by other ethnic tribes. KADU was under "Ngala and was deputised by Masinde Muliro.

In February 1961, Legislative elections were held and won by KANU which got 67% of the votes as against 16% for KADU. KANU won 19 while KADU won 11 seats. However, KANU refused to form a government without Kenyatta. Therefore KADU and NKP (New Kenya Party of Michael Blundell) formed a coalition government. The NKP was a European party but sympathetic to the African cause.

In August 1961, Kenyatta was released from prison and made an effort to unite the KANU and KADU.

The 2^nd Lancaster House conference of March 1962 worked out modalities for Kenya's independence. It was chaired by Reginald Maudling and agreed on a Federal constitution.

On 1st June 1963, Kenya was granted internal independence with Kenyatta as a Prime Minister .

Finally on 12^th December i963, Kenya obtained full independence.