Kenya's History

Colonial History

On December 12, 1963 Kenya became an independent country by the United Kingdom. Kenya was colonized by the British, which left many marks on the language, culture, and legal systems. The Massi are the dominant tribe of the country known as Kenya, Africa. They arrived as nomadic pastoralists from the north, probably in the mid 18th century.

Flag of Kenya

The flag of Kenya consists of four colors. Those four colors are red, black, green, and white. The flag of Kenya was adopted on December 12, 1963. The black, red, and green colors signify black majority, freedom struggle bloodshed, and natural resources respectively while the shield is the symbol of protector for all these. The " shield" in the middle of the flag is a Massai warrior shield with two spears.

Kenya's Independence

Kenya has been an independent country since 1963. Kenya's republic was declared a year later.

Kenya independence is a term that evokes within the Africans in this country a remembrance of a long history of Kenya under the colonial rule of England. Achieved in 1963, independence is a gift that the Africans bought themselves through sheer patience and courage.

The story of Kenyan Independence tells the story of Kenya's long and hard struggle for political and social freedom from the clutches of the Britain's. Kenya officially came under English reign in 1920. The Africans had reacted without delay. They put in their full effort in regaining what the English had wrongfully taken away—the rights of the African nationals in Kenya.

The Kikuyu organization ( 1921), headed by Jomo Kenyatta was the first attempt. In 1925 it was suppressed by the English but the members regrouped again as the Kikuyu association. Kenyatta's campaigns against the English to attain the rights of the Kenyans acted as an impetus in Kenya Independence struggle. He resorted to peaceful methods but threatened of an explosion if the English did not give them their rights. But no progress was seen till after the World War 2.

In spite of political movements and a united national uprising against the English, the English refused to move out of the territory. They were determined to hold their power over Kenya and this sparked off a violent reaction during the Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s. A huge number of Africans lost their lives and thousands were wounded. Suppression of the Kikuyu organization by the English followed. The Kenyan independence struggle reached its climax with the imprisonment of the African political leaders. Political chaos continued till 1960 when Kenya was recognized by English regime. In 1961 Africans were granted a majority rule in the parliament and ultimately in 1963 Kenya's fight for independence culminated with the country attaining complete independence from British domination. Thus Kenya's independence is a picture of the victory of the persistence of the Africans over England's desire for global power. A year after they got their independence, Jomo Kenyatta became the first president on the establishment of a republic.

Leaders

Jomo Kenyatta

Jomo Kenyatta, born on October 20, 1894, and leader of the 1921 Kikuyu organization, helped Kenya to gain its independence. He was a member of the Kanu political party, and became Kenya's prime minister in office from June 1st,1963, to December 12, 1964. He died on August 22,1978, at the age of 83.

Daniel Arap Moi

Daniel Arap Moi was born in Kuriengwo village and raised by his mother, Kimio Chebii, following the death of his father. After completing secondary education, he attended Tambach Teachers Training College in Keiyo District. He worked as a teacher from 1946 until 1955. In 1955 he entered politics when he was elected member of the the Legislative Council for Rift Valley. In 1960 he founded the Kenya African National Union (KANU) led by Jomo Kenyatta.

Calestous Juma

Calestous Juma (born on June 9Th, 1953 in Port Victoria, western Kenya) is an internationally recognized authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development worldwide. Calestous Juma grew up on the shore of Lake Victoria where he started a young education. He is a professor of the Project of the International Development and Director of the Science, Technology and Globalization Project.

He is a former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and Founding Director of the African Centre for Technology Studies in Nairobi, and he also served as Chancellor of the University of Guyana. He has been elected to several scientific academies including the Royal Society of London, the US National Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World. He has won several international awards for his work on sustainable development.

He holds a PhD in science and technology policy studies and has written widely on science, technology, and environment. He teaches courses in developmental policy as part of theMPA/ID Program. He is lead author of Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development. He is editor of the International Journal of Technology and Globalisation and International Journal of Biotechnology.

Dr.Wangari Maathai

Dr.Wangari Muta Maathai ( born April 1st 1940 ) in Ihithe village, is an enviormental and political activist. In 2004 she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for " her contribution to sustainable development, democracy,and peace.'' Maathi was an elected member of Parliament and served Assistant Minister for Enviornment and Natural Resources in the government of President Mway Kabaki between January 2003 and November 2005.