Islam and Politics in Kenya

Kenya s five million Muslims form an increasingly important minority group in a largely Christian country though they are not always recognized as such. Arye Oded offers a balanced, accessible analysis of the role of Islam in contemporary Kenyan politics and society. Against the backdrop of the developing Islamic expansion in Kenya and the evolving relations between Muslims and Christians, Oded examines the strengths and weaknesses of the Muslim community, its relations with the state, and the emergence of militant Islam in the 1990s. He also considers the influence of the Arab countries and Iran on the attitudes and political positions of Kenya s Muslims regarding both internal and international affairs. His thoughtful treatment of the complexities and controversies involved is a major contribution to the field of African studies.