Craig White's Literature Courses

Historical Backgrounds

Kenya

History:

1st century - 19c CE: Swahili / Bantu culture, influenced by Arabian / Islamic settlements on Indian Ocean coast

1885-1890: German protectorate on coast,

1888- : Imperial British East Africa Company,

1896–1929: Uganda Railway system built by British engineers and African and Indian workers, linking interiors of Uganda and Kenya with Mombasa, Kenyan port on Indian Ocean, despite British political dissent (over costs), tribal resistance, heat, sickness, and man-eating lions. Called "Iron Snake" by native Kenyans.

1920: East Africa Protectorate becomes British colony, named Kenya for Mount Kenya

1950s: Approximately 80,000 white settlers living in Kenya

1952-59: Mau Mau uprising, led primarily by Kikuyu tribe, repressed by British

1957: Kenya African National Union led by Jomo Kenyatta (below) wins majority on Legislative Council.

1963: Kenya Independence Act of the United Kingdom

1964: Kenya becomes independent "Republic of Kenya"

1964-78: Jomo Kenyatta president from Independence until death.

1978-2002: Daniel arap Moi presidency, first in single-party elections; multi-party elections begin in 1990s.

2000s: "free and fair" multiparty elections with successful transfers of power. 

Mount Kenya

Biashara Street Market, Mombasa