In this study, I seek to understand the differences between Kenya’s form of African Socialism and Tanzania’s African Socialism. This research serves as a case study, examining the political, economic and social success and failures of capitalism and socialism in Africa post-colonization. I argue that due to Kenya’s adoption of capitalism, their transition has been praised as the country has become the economic leader of the East African Coast, while Tanzania’s adoption of socialism has caused great economic failures. However, although Kenya’s form of African Socialism has benefited them economically, the institution of capitalism has exacerbated ethnic tensions, class inequality and corruption within the country. In contrast, although Tanzania’s institution of socialism failed economically, it has created a unified country through a shared identity, language and class that has caused an increased stability in comparison to neighboring countries. These differences are directly related to the policies of their early leaders and as a result, this paper argues that when African Socialism is examined holistically, Tanzania’s implementation was successful as well. Through my research question, I seek to answer “How did each countries’ implementation of African Socialism benefit or harm their economic and social development?” In contrast to traditional research that focuses on economic indicators, I will examine social indicators such as national unity, ethnic divisions and education of the general population.
