Headquarters of the Kenya Peoples Union, Nairobi

Kenya People’s Union was formed in 1966 after Jaramogi Oginga Odinga quit the KANU-led government after being sidelined within it due to his differences on general ideology, and resource and land allocation issues with Jomo Kenyatta and other party members. In response, KANU passed a constitutional amendment requiring MPs who defected to seek re-election, leading to mass by-elections. The plan was to limit Odinga’s influence and obstruct KPU’s growth. Legal registration of KPU was delayed, and candidates faced hurdles in obtaining rally licenses. The state-controlled broadcaster, Voice of Kenya, imposed a news blackout on KPU whilst their supporters faced harassment.

Voting occurred over two weeks, resulting in KANU winning 21 of 28 House of Representative seats, while KPU won 7. In the Senate, KANU secured 8 of 10 seats, and KPU won 2. Some politicians affiliated with KPU were; Okuto Bala (Nyando), Ondiek Chilo (Nyakach), Bildad Kaggia (Kandara), Luke Rarieya Obok (Alego), John Odero-Sar (Ugenya), Oginga Odinga (Bondo), Tom Okello-Odongo (Kisumu Rural), George Fredrick Oduya (Elgon West), Achieng Oneko (Nakuru Town), Joseph Mwasia Nthula (Iveti South) and Wasonga Sijeyo (Gem).

press article on Jaramogi Oginga Odinga of the KPU’s arrest.

KANU employed various tactics to undermine KPU. Employers were pressured to dismiss KPU supporters, leading to the dismissal of over 35 civil servants and demotions. Passports of KPU members were seized to hinder international travel, and companies were forced to dismiss KPU-supporting employees. Ultimately, 3 years of political harassment and detention of party leaders, including of Oginga Odinga himself, led to the demise of KPU. In an act that made Kenya a de facto one-party state, KPU was banned in 1969 with claims that it was a dangerous outfit that posed a threat to the ‘good’ government of the Republic of Kenya.