Post-colonial Kenya has had dominant personalities, every decade. The 1960s was the transition period with Jomo Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya, Joseph Murumbi, Ronald Ngala, Paul Ngei, Daniel arap Moi, and Masinde Muliro.

The 1970s featured JM Kariuki complaining about ten millionaires amidst ten million beggars. Charles Njonjo silencing politicians by decreeing it treason to imagine a president can die, and the ascension of Daniel arap Moi to the presidency.

The 1980s witnessed the rise of Nicholas Biwott, Mulu Mutisya, Shariff Nassir, Moses Mudavadi, Wangari Maathai, Raila Odinga, Kariuki Chotara, Alexander Muge, Timothy Njoya, ‘Bwana Dawa’ Mark Too, and George Saitoti.