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1968 East African Asian Crisis. Following Kenya achieving independence in 1963 Asians
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1968 East African Asian Crisis. Following Kenya achieving independence in 1963 Asians
1968 East African Asian Crisis. Following Kenya achieving independence in 1963 Asians living in Kenya, were given two years to acquire Kenyan citizenship which in turn meant they had to renounce their British passports. Out of approximately 180, 000 Asians fewer than 20, 000 had submitted their applications by the deadline.
Those Kenyan Asians without citizenship soon became subject to increasing discrimination. By 1967 the Kenyan Government enacted the Kenyan Immigration Act which required them to acquire work permits, whilst a Trade Licensing Act passed in the same year limited the areas of the country in which non-Kenyans could engage in trade. The Asian community became increasingly threatened as the Kenyan government cast them as a scapegoat group. Many choose to utilise their British passport and settle in the United Kingdom. This influx from East Africa lead the UK government to introduce The Commonwealth Immigration Act 1968 This Act took away the right of residence unless the passport holders were patrials - descendents of people (parents or grandparents) born, adopted or naturalised in the UK. While the people coming from Kenya had British passports, many had not been to the UK before. The 1968 Act effectively revoked British citizenship and made thousands of people stateless.
Our Picture Shows: Children of a young Asian family arriving at Heathrow fleeing political turmoil in Kenya, waiting at the airport to be collected by friends. 27th February 1968
Victor Crawshaw
Daily Mirror
Mirrorpix
London
Greater London
England
Y2003
Media ID 21707090
© Mirrorpix
Asian Bame Brothers Children Only Ethnic Ethnicity Immigrants Immigration Minority Sisters Small Group Of People Worried
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful print captures the heart-wrenching reality of the 1968 East African Asian Crisis. Following Kenya's independence in 1963, Asians living in the country were faced with a difficult ultimatum - acquire Kenyan citizenship or renounce their British passports. With only two years to comply, fewer than 20,000 out of approximately 180,000 Asians had submitted their applications by the deadline. As those without citizenship became increasingly marginalized and discriminated against, the Kenyan government further tightened its grip on this vulnerable community. The enactment of the Kenyan Immigration Act in 1967 forced them to obtain work permits while limiting their ability to engage in trade through the Trade Licensing Act passed that same year. The Asian community was unjustly scapegoated as tensions escalated. In response to these dire circumstances, many chose to utilize their British passports and seek refuge elsewhere. This influx from East Africa prompted the UK government to introduce The Commonwealth Immigration Act in 1968. Unfortunately, this act stripped away residence rights unless individuals could prove they were patrials - descendants of those born or naturalized in the UK. The photograph depicts a young Asian family arriving at Heathrow Airport amidst political turmoil in Kenya on February 27th, 1968. These innocent children anxiously await being collected by friends as they flee from an uncertain future towards a safer haven abroad. Victor Crawshaw's poignant image serves as a reminder of both human resilience and governmental failures during one of history's most distressing episodes for East African Asians seeking security and stability for themselves and their families.
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