The Kennedy Airlift
The Kennedy Airlift occurred in 1959 and 1960 and saw hundreds of east Africans get scholarships to study in the US. It was arranged by Tom Mboya and Senator John F. Kennedy.[1]
Background
The program began in earnest in 1959 when Mboya embarked on a speaking tour of the United States seeking scholarships for students from East Africa. The first batch of students, 81 in total, touched down on New York City in September 11 1959. These students would be settled in various universities in the United States and Canada. In Kenya, Mboya liaised with Julius Kiano and Kariuki Njiiri to identify potential students for the airlifts. Kiano and Njiiri were both alumni of American universities [2]
The airlifts were opposed by Britain. Kenya was Britain's colony and Britain did not want America meddling with any of its colonies. British officials spread propaganda amongst top Kenyan students that American education was inferior to British education.
Legacy
The airlifts officially ended in 1963. Most of the graduates from American and Canadian colleges and universities went back to help build the newly independent Kenya. Some were employed even before they graduated. They were mainly employed in the public administration sector as district and provincial officers. While men found it easy to get jobs they qualified for, women faced a tougher challenge. Many were offered secretarial duties despite being better qualified than most male officers in the same departments.
Notable Beneficiaries
Over 800 students, mainly from Kenya, benefited from the Kennedy Airlift. Some of the more notable ones include:
Perez Olindo
Phillip Ochieng
Owino Okongo
Barack Obama Snr
Contrary to some media reports, Barack Obama Snr, Barack Obama's father, was not a beneficiary of the airlifts. [3] He received private funding to attend the University of Hawaii. He is, however, considered part of the 'airlift generation'.
