On December 12 1963 people across Kenya joyfully celebrated independence from British colonial rule anticipating a bright future of prosperity & social justice. As the nation approaches the fiftieth anniversary of its independence however the peoples dream remains elusive. During its first five decades Kenya has experienced assassinations riots coup attempts ethnic violence & political corruption. The ranks of the disaffected the unemployed & the poor have multiplied. In this authoritative & insightful account of Kenyas history from 1963 to the present day Daniel Branch sheds new light on the nations struggles & the complicated causes behind them. Branch describes how Kenya constructed itself as a state & how ethnicity has proved a powerful force in national politics from the start as have disorder & violence. He explores such divisive political issues as the needs of the landless poor international relations with Britain & with the Cold War superpowers & the direction of economic development. Tracing an escalation of government corruption over time the author brings his discussion to the present paying particular attention to the rigged election of 2007 the subsequent compromise government & Kenyas prospects as a still-evolving independent state.