Why did Jomo Kenyatta reject socialist nationalization of property?

Jomo Kenyatta rejected socialist calls for the nationalization of property in favor of promoting a doctrine centered on personal and entrepreneurial effort.1

Rather than adopting state-controlled economic models, Kenyatta championed the slogan "Harambee," which translates to "pulling together," to encourage collective national progress through individual initiative. His administration prioritized a free-market economy and actively sought foreign investment from Western nations to drive development. This capitalist approach was part of a broader alignment with Western powers during the Cold War, which helped Kenya achieve one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa during the first two decades of its independence.12