From Obedience to Mutiny (1962–64)

Abstract

The issue of Africanisation dominated the rank and file in the Army between 1962 and 1964, and subsequently led to the mutiny in January 1964. Similar mutinies occurred in the other East African countries, but each met with a different response from the government concerned. Each mutiny ostensibly started as a protest against existing conditions of service and a demand for Africanisation in the military, but gained political significance when the mutineers refused to obey their European officers and instead used physical violence against them. The show of strength by the men was at the same time a revolt against the civilian authority for the failure of those Africans who held political power to see that a programme of Africanisation was carried out in the Army.