Available courses

PAN AFRICANISM AND SOCIALISM

This eight-week Pan-Africanism and Socialism course, organised by Ukombozi Library, introduces participants to Pan Africanism and its relevance to Kenya and Africa. Delivered through Moodle and Zoom, the course combines independent study, selected readings, videos, recordings, and collective discussions. It consists of four classes. The first examines the history of Pan-Africanism, tracing its development and major thinkers and congresses. The second explores neo-colonialism and imperialism, focusing on economic dependency, unequal trade, debt, and the continued influence of foreign powers. The third examines African Socialism and Scientific Socialism, comparing approaches associated with Nyerere, Nkrumah, Cabral, and Babu and considering the challenges faced by post-independence socialist projects. The fourth explores revolutionary transformation, focusing on Modibo Keïta and Thomas Sankara and contemporary sovereignty struggles in the Sahel. The course is free and open to activists, students, and interested members of the public.

INTRODUCTION TO MARXISM

This course, Introduction to Marxism in a Kenyan Perspective, provides a foundational understanding of Marxist theory and its relevance to Kenya’s historical and contemporary realities. Developed from the ideas of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Marxism offers a scientific framework for analyzing society by examining the relationship between economic systems, social structures, and political power.

The course situates these ideas within Kenya’s unique context, shaped by colonialism, Neo-colonialism, and ongoing struggles over land, food, and freedom. It explores how class divisions have developed over time and how they continue to influence inequality, exploitation, and resistance in Kenyan society. By engaging with key concepts such as dialectical materialism, class struggle, and the role of the state, participants will gain tools to critically analyze both global capitalism and local realities.

Ultimately, the course aims to bridge theory and practice by connecting Marxist philosophy to lived experiences in Kenya. It encourages participants to reflect on the possibilities for social transformation and to understand the role of collective action in building a more just and equitable society.

INTRODUCTION TO MARXIST ECONOMICS - A KENYAN PERSPECTIVE

The course introduces Marx's analysis of the development of capitalism in general and then examines Kenya's particular path in the context of colonial conquest, the progressive creation of a landless proletariat alongside colonial freedom struggles - and then the creation of a Neo-colonial state.  The course considers Kenya's position today in the changing face of external intervention and new international alignments.

The course is taught in two parts - each lasting six weeks with a four week break in between.

All necessary materials will be supplied through Moodle and there will be fortnightly zoom sessions for class discussion and debate    

TRADE UNIONS, CLASS AND POWER

This eight week course provides an introduction to the role of trade unions in a class-based society and how they can exert power against the power of capital and big business.  It is written specifically for Kenyan conditions.