From its completion until independence in 1963, the presence of a large white, community led to a more diverse and competitive economy than in most other African countries under colonial rule. While this large, white community led to the subjugation of the Kenyan people, it did have advantages. Its positive aspects included giving the Kenyan people greater exposure to modern agricultural methods, which they quickly adapted to, as well as the national cash economy in the process.
Agriculture remains the base of the national economy.
Kenya is the third largest tea producer, the biggest pyrethrum producer, and a major exporter in coffee and pineapples. But even so, the liberalism is elastic only to certain point which is a fairly tight rein by western standards. Political advancement is still progressing as Kenya held their first multi-party elections in 1993. There have been two presidents since 1964. The first, Jomo Kenyatta, will probably be rated by history as among the most outstanding politicians of the 20th Century.