Final answer:
Literature in English in East Africa began its development in the 1950s, influenced significantly by educational advancements post-World War II, especially through universities which used English as their medium of instruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Literature in English began to develop in East Africa in the 1950s, a period post-World War II when African nations were in the process of decolonization and moving towards independence. The most significant educational force behind this development was the widespread establishment of educational institutions, which included universities where English was the medium of instruction. Major universities such as Makerere University in Uganda began to foster a generation of writers who would later shape the East African literary scene.
The influence of these institutions cannot be overstated; they provided a platform for budding East African writers to express their thoughts, experiences, and cultural heritage through the English language. This educational wave was part of a broader global trend involving post-colonial nations asserting their identities following the departure of European colonial powers. Literature became an important part of the dialogue on national identity, socio-political discourse, and cultural expression. The emergence of prominent writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, who began by writing in English before advocating literary works in native languages, was part of this literary revolution.
Therefore, in the context of educational forces, the creation and expansion of institutions of higher learning, particularly after the end of World War II, were fundamental in cultivating a milieu that promoted the expression and development of English literature in East Africa.