Kenya+History


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A Walk Through the History of Kenya


 * It is known that human history in Kenya dates back millions of years, because it is there that some of the earliest fossilized remains of hominid[[image:history-of-south-africa-prehistoric-skull.jpg width="286" height="270" align="left" caption="History of Africa" link="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/270419/Homo-habilis"]]s have been discovered. Among the best-known finds are those by anthropologist [|Richa][|rd Leakey] and others in the [|Koo][|bi Fora] area along the shore of [|Lake Rudolf] that have included portions of [|Australopithecus boise]and [|Homo habili][|s] skeletons.


 * 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. (World Map, Map of the World)


 * 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.[[image:jo.jpg width="122" height="175" align="right" caption="Jomo Kenyatta"]]


 * Kenyatta 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 independence is a picture of the victory of the persistence of the Africans over England's desire for global power.


 * African Union (AU), formerly (1963–2002) Organization of African Unity, intergovernmental organization [[image:union.jpg align="left" caption="African Union"]]established in 2002, to promote unity and solidarity of African states, to spur economic development, and to promote international cooperation. (Encylopedia Britannica)

Resources: Google Images. (n.d.). Google Images. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from []

History of Kenya. (2010). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: [|http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/315131/history-of-**Kenya**]

Kenya Independence. (n.d.). World Map, Map of the World. Retrieved December 13, 2010, from http://www.mapsofworld.com/kenya/history/independence.html