This article provides a comparative overview of Zimbabwe and Kenya, two African nations with distinct yet intertwined histories. Both countries experienced European colonialism, which significantly shaped their political, economic, and social structures. Understanding their unique paths offers insights into the broader context of African development.
Location of Kenya and Zimbabwe in Africa
Historical Development and Colonial Impact
During the European Scramble for Africa, European powers shamelessly exploited the people and resources of Africa in the 19th century. Western European countries competed for land and resources due to their self-interest. They sought natural resources, and technology gave them the ability to exploit them. The philosophy of national pride, however, was the primary reason.
The scramble for Africa represents the most thorough and systematic process of colonialism in world history. The European colonial powers managed to conquer and control almost the entire continent of Africa in a short period. Some of the European states involved were already well-established global powers; the others were up and coming nations that desired to emulate and compete with the dominant imperial states.
The colonial era significantly affected the historical development of Africa. It put a halt to the continuous drain of scarce labor and paved the way for the expansion of land concentrated forms of agriculture, and engaging smallholders, estates, and communal farms. The establishment of colonial rule over the African interior reinforced African commodity growth in export. The colonial control facilitated the construction induced significant inflows of European capital.
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Reactions to Colonialism
African people & nations responded to this “Scramble for Africa” with diplomatic tactics, motivational actions, and violent rebellions. Different African nations and leaders wanted to take different approaches to the Scramble for Africa, and some wanted to make diplomatic peace with the Europeans. Prempeh I, the Ashanti leader, wrote a letter to the British to ask for peace and protection of their country.
Africans had a peaceful reaction with anti-imperialistic sentiments, peaceful actions through the approach of diplomacy and also a rebellious anti-imperialistic reaction towards the Scramble for Africa.
On a certain level, this caused many Africans to change their perspectives and to decrease their fear towards their colonial authorities that over time, had being representing themselves as being superior to Africans and the authority of the continent.
Post-Colonial Trajectories
Kenya is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 569,140 sq km. Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya.
MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.
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KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over a constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular referendum in November 2005. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people died. African Union-sponsored mediation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi ANNAN in late February 2008 resulted in a power-sharing accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister.
The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform. In August 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and significant devolution of power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister following the first presidential election under the new constitution, which occurred on 4 March 2013.
The Political History of Africa
Similarities and Differences in Legal Frameworks
It is insightful to compare the laws in South Africa and Kenya. An analysis includes an explanation of the laws in each country highlighting differences and similarities. It is then explored how these laws relate to the functions of Strategic Human Resource management. It is noted throughout how the laws in these countries have an impact on all areas of Strategic Human resource functions of recruiting and interviewing, performance appraisal and job enrichment, compensation and benefits, employee development, health and safety and strategic management.
Here is a simplified comparison table of some key aspects:
| Aspect | Zimbabwe | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial Power | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Independence | 1980 | 1963 |
| Political System | Unitary semi-presidential republic | Unitary presidential republic |
| Key Industries | Mining, agriculture | Agriculture, tourism |
Both Zimbabwe and Kenya share a history marked by colonialism and the struggle for independence. Understanding their individual experiences provides valuable insights into the complexities of post-colonial development in Africa.
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