By Elimu Assistant Team 
🇰🇪 Kenya African Study Union (KASU) History Tutorial 🇰🇪
📌 Key Establishment Facts
📅 Date: October 1944 (after Eliud Mathu’s LEGCO nomination)
🎯 Original Name: Kenya African Union (KAU)
🔄 Renamed: Kenya African Study Union (KASU) after 2 weeks
🎯 Founding Objectives
- ✅ Assist Eliud Mathu as first African LEGCO member
- ✅ Create multi-ethnic political representation
- ✅ Advocate for constitutional reforms
- ✅ Demand better living/working conditions
⏳ Key Timeline Events
October 1944
Formed as KAU, renamed KASU after 2 weeks by governor’s order
January 1945
James Gichuru becomes president after Harry Thuku resigns
1945-1946
Published “Sauti ya Mwafrika” newspaper
1946
Reverted to original name Kenya African Union (KAU)
👥 Founding Leadership
Interim Officials
- Harry Thuku (Chairman)
- Francis Khamisi (Secretary)
- Albert Owino (Treasurer)
Other Key Members
- James Gichuru
- John Kebaso
- Simeon Mulandi
- Harry ole Nangurai
- S.O. Josiah
- F.M. Ng’anga
- Jimmy Jeremiah
- J.D. Otiende
- S.D. Jakay
📢 Key Activities & Positions
📰 Sauti ya Mwafrika Newspaper
Published under Gichuru’s leadership to highlight African grievances and oppose the proposed East African Federation.
✊ Political Opposition
Rejected proposals to give more powers to European members in the Executive Council and opposed European-dominated government in the East African Federation.
🔄 In 1946, KASU reverted to its original name Kenya African Union (KAU), considering “Study Union” inappropriate for its growing political role.
Unlock Self-Assessment Questions
🇰🇪 KASU/KAU History Quiz
CBC-Aligned Assessment
1. When was Eliud Mathu nominated to the Legco?
2. What was the original name of the organization before being renamed KASU?
3. Why did Harry Thuku resign from KASU leadership?
4. What was KASU’s position on the East African Federation?
5. Who became KASU president after Harry Thuku’s resignation?
6. What was the name of the newspaper published by KASU?
7. How did KASU respond to proposals giving more power to European members?
8. What was one of KASU’s main objectives regarding African representation?
9. Who was the first secretary of KAU/KASU?
10. When did KASU revert to its original name KAU?
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