Home to indigenous Bantu and Nilo-Saharan speaking peoples, the region was colonized by Arab traders from the 10th century and by the British in 1895. The route to independence was marked by the violent struggle of the Mau Mau Rebellion in the 1950s which resulted in the British authorities declaring a State of Emergency. Independence was achieved in 1965, and a republic was declared in 1964.
An introduction to the history of Kenya from the time of early humans to the present day.
A Chronology of Key Events in Kenya -- Prehistory to Independence.
A Chronology of Key Events in Kenya -- Independence to Present Day.
The Mau Mau were a militant African nationalist movement active in Kenya during the 1950s whose main aim was to remove British rule and European settlers from the country.
Kenya has had only three presidents since gaining independence. Both Jomo Kenyatta and his successor Daniel arap Moi represented the Kenya African National Union, KANU, whilst the most recent incumbent, Mwai Kibaki, won a majority with the National Rainbow Coalition, NaRC.
A useful potted history is included with these US Department of State Background Notes on Kenya. Also included is a range of political, economic, and geographical data, as well as information on its people, defence, and relations with the US.
A quirky, colloquial presentation of Kenya’s history presented by LonelyPlanet.com. Makes awfully good reading and may galvanise your interest in Africa’s regional history. Not only suitable for travellers.
An extremely brief historical overview accompanies this BBC Country Profile of Kenya. Of particular interest are the simplified regional map (see where the country is in Africa), a photograph of Kenya’s current Chief of State, and details about the countries media.
A chronology of important events in the history of Kenya given by year (and for more recent events by month also).
A useful map and a range of geographical, political, and economic facts which are mostly up-to-date. Unfortunately this country profile lacks historical information (except for independence date), but the population statistics are probably the best available.
Updated weekly, this list of Kenya's Chief of State and Cabinet Ministers is provided by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America.
As well as the usual Country Profile information available on the web, AlertNet offers up to date news headlines about humanitarian efforts and crises in Kenya.
Amnesty International report on human rights violations and media restrictions in Kenya.
