Kenyan Youth Education in Colonial and Post-Colonial Times: Joseph Kamiru Gikubu's Impact

Review “This educational biography of Joseph Gikubu has unmatched potential to inspire youths and educational leaders to transform their societies despite their backgrounds in life. In his life, school leaders and youth should see not only how opportunities lead to inspiration and discovery of human potency; but also that delayed gratification and resilience are key to wisdom.” (Teresa A. Wasonga, Professor of Educational Leadership, Northern Illinois University, USA, and Co-Founder of Jane Adeny Memorial School for Girls, Kenya) “This book is a tour de force that opens up a new terrain of scholarly research on African educational biographies. It is an excellent, educative, and inspiring book on the power of the individual and youth education in effecting societal change. It is a must read for all those who are looking to transformative educators to shape society.” (Maurice Amutabi, Professor of African History and Vice-Chancellor, Lukenya University, Kenya)“It is an insightful ethnography on African education. Gikubu’s work on Starehe Boys Centre and School illuminates the reader on the history of an educational institution intended initially for cultural indoctrination of African male youth into colonial ideology during the war of resistance against British colonialism in Kenya. Through a re-examination of the colonial archives and their (re)presentation of African male youth as ‘deviant criminals,’ the book reveals the unforeseen possibilities for resistance and solidarity among the afflicted.” (Ousseina D. Alidou, Professor and Director, African Studies Program, Rutgers University, USA) Product Description This book examines Joseph Kamiru Gikubu’s impact on Kenyan youth education. The author asserts that over his decades-long career, Gikubu played an active role in not only building and improving Kenyan youth education but also in demonstrating the role educational institutions play in imparting nation-building skills. Gikubu’s educational contributions were wide-ranging and include both practical and theoretical aspects of education through his works in various juvenile rehabilitation programs and youth clubs, as well as his insights on youth education and school leadership. Through Gikubu’s educational work, this volume interrogates Kenya’s educational development, transformation, and entailed challenges. The book fills the gap in the dearth of African-centered educational biographies and their role in shaping Africa’s social, political, and economic spheres in both the colonial and post-colonial period. It also addresses emerging scholarship in African educational biographies.  From the Back Cover This book examines Joseph Kamiru Gikubu’s impact on Kenyan youth education. The author asserts that over his decades-long career, Gikubu played an active role in not only building and improving Kenyan youth education but also in demonstrating the role educational institutions play in imparting nation-building skills. Gikubu’s educational contributions were wide-ranging and include both practical and theoretical aspects of education through his works in various juvenile rehabilitation programs and youth clubs, as well as his insights on youth education and school leadership. Through Gikubu’s educational work, this volume interrogates Kenya’s educational development, transformation, and entailed challenges. The book fills the gap in the dearth of African-centered educational biographies and their role in shaping Africa’s social, political, and economic spheres in both the colonial and post-colonial period. It also addresses emerging scholarship in African educational biographies.  About the Author ​Peter Otiato Ojiambo is Associate Professor in the Department of African and African-American Studies at the University of Kansas, USA.