ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My interest to remember and reflect on Kenya’s past was made possible
by the assistance, support, and generosity of others. This project is a part of a
much larger and important effort to understand, restore, reclaim, share, and
memorize African history and culture. For years now, I have listened to the
discussions, debates, and controversies surrounding Mau Mau; it is the hope that
with this study we can move the conversation to a different level.
I was especially challenged in completing this research after the loss of
my advisor, Dr. Atieno Odhiambo, in 2009. Though I am saddened that he was
not able to be here at the end of the study, I am very thankful for my time to work
directly with one of the best scholars known. Dr. Odhiambo taught me how to
think and question the contradictory African past. I am forever thankful for the
time he took to share his complicated version of African history with me. For
years he introduced me to the different voices and conversations that swirled
around and about Africa. As his only doctoral student at the time, I had the
opportunity to have many devoted sessions and discussions about the
historiography of Africa that I will forever treasure. When I read and write,
especially about topics dear to him like Mau Mau, his spirit is present almost as if
he is continuing to guide and teach. I am also grateful to Mrs. Odhiambo for her
encouragement and always opening her home to my family and me for visits.
I was blessed to have a very powerful dissertation team. My sincere
thanks go to Dr. Edward Cox for stepping in as my advisor. Dr. Cox was a key
supporter of my studies at Rice before I even applied to the program. I knew he