Nice Life, Dirty War
By Stephen Cook
Category Biography, Kenya, Mau Mau, Politics Africa
About Nice Life, Dirty War
Nice Life, Dirty War explores the effect of the Mau Mau uprising on the author, who grew up as a child in the Kenya colony. As the uprising gained momentum with the
infamous massacre of Kikuyu ‘loyalists’ they moved south
to Tanganyika in their Land Rover leaving behind the
turmoil and killings while the suppression of Mau Mau continued with concentration camps and more than a thousand hangings.
When they returned to Kenya: life becomes normal again with animals, and back to whites-only schools. A visit by Princess Margaret soon after the execution of Dedan
Kimathi, last of the Mau Mau leaders suppresses the rebellion but the gulag continues to brutalise thousands of Mau Mau suspects into renouncing their oaths. Though ultimately defeated, the Mau Mau hastened the end of British rule in Kenya.
About Stephen Cook
Stephen Cook is a former journalist and author with extensive experience in national newspapers and magazines, including 18 years at The Guardian. He edited the magazine for charities and voluntary organisations, Third Sector, and he has published five novels and two non-fiction books.
Published: 20 July 2024 Pages: 250 ISBN: 978-1-7384598-3-4 Size: 5’’ x 8’’ / 12.7cm x20cm Price: £9.99 Format: Paperback
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