Suspicion vs reality: Making of the ‘spy’ narrative in Kenyan politics

In the history of Kenya’s political “moles”, Bruce McKenzie occupies an intriguing place. He sat in Jomo Kenyatta’s Cabinet while maintaining connections with British officials and, according to subsequent accounts, foreign intelligence services.

He supplied information to the British High Commission, represented settlers and British opinion, and was later alleged to have worked with MI6 and Israeli intelligence. Here was an independence minister whose relationships raised questions about where service to Kenya ended, and service to another power began.