Kenya
is an East African nation whose name originated from the traditional name of
the Mt Kenya or Kirinyaga which is the county’s tallest mountain. The earliest
inhabitants of Kenya were hunter-gatherers but from about 2,000 BC herders came
to the region. Then from about 800 AD Arabs sailed to Kenya. Some settled and
intermarried and they created the Swahili culture along the coast.
The
first European to reach Kenya was Vasca da Gama in 1498. Subsequently the
Portuguese dominated the coast of Kenya for 2 centuries. However they did not
penetrate inland. Still the Portuguese brought new crops to Kenya, maize and
cassava.
Then
in the late 19th century Kenya came under British control. In 1883 Joseph
Thomson was sent to map Kenya. Then in 1885 the European powers divided up
Africa between themselves at the Berlin Conference and Britain was allocated
Kenya.
At
first Kenya was administered by the Imperial British East Africa Company, which
was formed in 1887. However in 1895 the British government took responsibility
for Kenya. Then in the years 1895-1901 the British built a railway across the
region. In the early 20th century while settlers flocked into Kenya taking the
best land and the natives were forced onto reservations. Indians also came to
Kenya and formed a middle class or traders.
Naturally
the Africans resented their treatment and in 1921 they formed the East African
Association to fight for their rights. In 1924 it changed its name to the
Kikuyu Central Association. In 1927 Jomo Kenyatta became its Secretary.
Meanwhile schools were founded in Kenya and the Africans became better
educated. Many of them fought in the Second World War but afterwards they were
treated as second-class citizens again. Their resentment eventually boiled over
into the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya.
The
Mau Mau formed in 1952. They took secret oaths to kill Europeans and African
collaborators. In 1952 a state of emergency was declared in Kenya. British
troops were sent to deal with the insurgency. Then in 1953 the British began
detaining Kikuyu in concentration camps. Slowly the British hunted down the
insurgents and by the end of 1956 the uprising was over.
Nevertheless
the movement towards African independence was unstoppable. In 1961 an African
political party Kenya African National Union was formed and in May 1963 KANU
won a majority of seats in the Kenyan assembly. Finally Kenya became
independent on 12 December 1963. In 1964 Jomo Kenyatta became president of Kenya
and Kenya joined the Commonwealth.
Karibu Kenya! (Welcome to Kenya) Tour / Visit Kenya and experience its hospitality & rich cultural heritage!
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