Kenyan history

Ξ 3 August 2007 | → | ∇ site |

The upright man (Australopithecus Anamnesis) is said to have lived in Kenya’s Lake Turkana some 4.1 million years ago. Also the Zinjanthripus (also known as the black man) lived in this same region 3.5 million years ago. These discoveries were revealed through the excavation of Fossils in the region between 1989-1989.

Bantu immigrants introduced technology to the country in 200 AD while Arabs, who were then trading in slaves, introduced Islam to the East African region in 700 AD. 750 AD saw the first Swahili settlements along the coastal area. Human migration brought the Nilotes from the Lake Turkana region to the Kenyan interior between the 10-14^th century. The Nilotes consist of the Maasai, Turkana, Luos, Iteso and the Kalenjin.

During the 13^th century, the Bantus divided into two main groups as they migrated towards the central part of Tanzania. This group built their settlements between the Mount Kilimanjaro area and the Indian Ocean. The first group moved towards the north, where they settled and formed the Taveta, Taita and Kamba tribes.

The second group moved towards the Indian ocean, and the neighboring hills, settling and forming the famous ‘Mijikenda community’, then another group finally moved further towards the west where they settled and formed the Agikuyu, Aembu, Chuka, Tharaka and the Ameru tribes. The 15^th century would later be classified as the Golden age for the Swahili civilization.

During the 15^th and the 17^th century, the Luos migrated from the southern part of Sudan towards Uganda settling around the Lake Victoria region. Thereafter the Luos migrated towards the interior and the Kano area. In 1528, Mombasa experienced its first invasion by the Portuguese. Years later (around 1593), the Portuguese built Fort Jesus in Mombasa. In the 18^th century, the Maasai migrated from one area to area in search of a settlement, which they later found in the Rift Valley region.

Dr. Ludwig Krapf, a German and missionary of the Church Missionary Society of England, established the first Christian mission along the Kenyan coast among the Mijikendas. Years later, in 1883, Joseph Thomson became the first explorer to traverse what was known as the Maasai land. Towards the end of the 19^th century, the famous Koitalel Arap Samoei, a prophet and leader, would prophecy that a “snake” would tear through Nandi region and spit fire: a theory that would be proven right when the British built Kenya’s main railway line. Koitalel Arap Samoei fought against the railway’s construction for 10 years. The first railway line was completed in 1901 connecting Mombasa and Kisumu at Lake Victoria.

1^st June 1963 saw Kenya achieved its independence and to date, the day is national holiday marked to celebrate Madaraka (independence). By 12^th December 1963, Kenya became an independent nation. In 1964 it would become a republic with Jomo Kenyatta being her first president. In 1978, Jomo Kenyatta passed away and that paved the way for his first predecessor and the second president of Kenya: Mr. Daniel Arap Moi.

In 1992 the Kenyan constitution was amended to incorporate multi party democracy. In 1997 Kenya celebrates its second multiparty elections with excellent results. Since then Kenya has been steadily climbing up the pluralistic ladder in democracy, setting a remarkable example to the African continent.