1.Name Changes
Jomo Kenyatta was born circa 1894 in the nation of British East
Africa, which would later become Kenya. His birth name was Kamau Wa
Ngengi, which was reflective of his Kikuyu heritage. In 1914, he changed
his name to Johnson Kamau after being baptized and then to Jomo
Kenyatta in 1922.
2.
Personal Hardships
In his youth, Kenyatta suffered many personal tragedies that shaped
his life. His father, Moigoi, died before was 10 years old. Because of
tradition in his village, Kenyatta’s mother, Wamboi, had to marry his
uncle. Then she died during childbirth. At just 10 years old, he lost
his entire family. All of these events led him to a Scottish mission
where he learned about European culture firsthand. Living and studying
there inspired his outlook.
3.
The Start of His Political Career
In 1922, Kenyatta started working in the Nairobi Municipal Council
Public Works Department after a long stint of working jobs as a
carpenter, clerk and interpreter. In the same year, he joined the East
African Association, a coalition of people of Kikuyu heritage to reclaim
lands confiscated by white settlers.
4.
The Disbanded East African Association
The British government was not fond of the East African Association.
They felt threatened by the group’s influence and possible upheaval of
the people they colonized. So the EAA was disbanded in 1925 and replaced
with the Kikuyu Central Association. Kenyatta was diving deeper into
the liberation movement and became editor of the organization’s
newspaper. Then he rose up in KCA, acting as secretary general in 1928.
In May of that year, he also started the
Mwigwithania paper, which focused on issues concerning the Kikuyu peoplE
5. In 1931, Kenyatta began a long period of diplomacy on behalf of Kikuyu
in Great Britain. The British officials dodged him at every turn and did
not want to listen to his grievances about Kikuyu land. So he decided
to attend one of the Selly Oaks Colleges in Birmingham. In 1932, he won
back Kikuyu lands. During this time, he studied in Russia, wrote many
important texts about Kikuyu, including
Facing Mount Kenya in 1938, and became part of the Pan-African Movement
6
1950s
World War II cut off Kenyatta from Kenya, but during that time much
progress was made in liberating Kenya from the British. By this time, he
was president of the Kenya African Union and was imprisoned in 1952 for
allegedly inciting the Mau Mau Rebellion. He was imprisoned for
nearly eight years, doing hard labor. During his jail time, Tom Mboya
and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga reshaped the Kenya African Union and created
the Kenya African Democratic Union, which included Maasai, Samburu,
Kalenjin and Turkana representatives.
7.
The Presidency
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| swearing in of president jomo kenyatta |
On Aug. 21, 1961, Kenyatta was free, but there was still work to do.
In that year, voting rights were finally given to Kenyans. In the
following year, Kenyatta went to London to get full independence from
British authority. By 1963, terms were negotiated and a temporary
government was established. In this temporary government, he was prime
minister, but a year later Kenyatta became president from 1964-78.
The Presidency
On Aug. 21, 1961, Kenyatta was free, but there was still work to do.
In that year, voting rights were finally given to Kenyans. In the
following year, Kenyatta went to London to get full independence from
British authority. By 1963, terms were negotiated and a temporary
government was established. In this temporary government, he was prime
minister, but a year later Kenyatta became president from 1964-78.
One 8.Kenya
His presidency was concerned with uniting all of Kenya. So his
administration included people from various ethnic groups. There was
only one political party during his presidency.
Legacy
9. Kenyatta has been celebrated for his work as a founding father of
Kenya. His face is on every piece of currency; there are universities
named after him such as Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University
of Agriculture and Technology, and Kenya’s international airport is
named after him. Kenyatta died Aug. 22, 1978, leaving behind a stable
country. In fact, the current president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is his son.
SOURCE: http://atlantablackstar.com
