Lasker’s novel is set during a period of major political and social change in East Africa, beginning in 1962 as Kenya transitioned from British colonial rule to independence. This historical shift, formally achieved in 1963, brought significant political, economic, and social changes that affected many aspects of Kenyan society, including wildlife conservation. The new government faced the challenge of establishing national institutions while addressing the legacies of colonial rule, and conservation efforts often competed with other pressing priorities. At the same time, growing international demand for ivory contributed to increased poaching across East Africa, placing severe pressure on elephant populations. According to data from Kenya’s Wildlife Research and Training Institute, elephant numbers in Kenya declined from approximately 167,000 in 1973 to around 16,000 by 1989, largely because of poaching driven by the ivory trade (Juma Sylvia, Makinia. “Yes, Kenya’s Elephants Have Increased in Last 30 Years but Only Census Will Plug Data Gaps.” Africa Check, 29 June 2021).

In The Memory of an Elephant, this crisis isn’t just a backdrop but a central driving force. The poacher Gichinga Kimathi embodies the intersection of political change, economic opportunity, and weak enforcement that enabled the illegal ivory trade to flourish; he’s a ruthless operator who leverages the changing social order to his advantage.