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The history of Kenya reveals that Kenya has evolved into a cultural melting pot over the centuries. This happened as a result of migrations, settlements and diaspora. However Kenya is also strongly rooted in its tribal tradition. It is interesting that many of the tribal groups in Kenya still continue to maintain their distinct social structures and traditions in the wake of the modern pressures of "westernization".
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Origin of Kenya as a nation
The history of Kenya reveals the presence of humankind in Kenya from as early as the Stone Age. Kenya was also a migratory path, which saw the arrival of clans and tribes from Africa and the Middle East from 2000 BC.The Kenya tribes, which had migrated to Kenya, were the Kikuyu, Kamba, Lao and Masai. Despite their different origins, all the tribes shared the same area of land. No one from outside dared to enter the region till the 19 th century when coastal Kenya came under the influence of Omani Arab traders who established trading posts along coastal Kenya. These trading posts dealing in ivory and slave trade were directly managed and monopolized by the Sultan of Zanzibar till it slipped into the hands of the British and Germans. By 1915, the majority of fertile highlands in Kenya became the property of the British who practiced a systematic policy of racial segregation.
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Rise in Nationalism and the Mau-Mau Rebellion in Kenya
By 1920, unable to bear the cruelties of colonization like the loss of rights over landholding and cultivation, native Kenyans started forming nationalist organizations. The highpoint of this sudden spurt of national consciousness was the sending of the nationalist leader Jomo Kenyatta in 1929 to England to negotiate on behalf of the Kikuyu Central Association. Soon the expansion of political consciousness saw the formation of guerilla troops like Mau Mau whose members swore to eliminate the white settlers in Kenya and also the Africans who cooperated with the colonial rule. However, the Mau Mau rebellion was ruthlessly crushed in 1956. Leaders of the Kenya African Union (KAU), the successor of the Kikuyu Central Union were thrown into detention camps. Dedan Kimathi, the leader of the rebellion was executed. However this Rebellion prompted the colonists to rethink on their policy of aggression in Kenya. A state of emergency was declared in Kenya and restrictions on cultivation by natives were lifted.
Kenya's emergence as a parliamentary democracy and the role of Daniel Arap Moi
In 1960, Britain agreed to have negotiatory talks with African leaders as a result of which the state of emergency in Kenya was lifted. Meanwhile the Kenyan African Union had become the Kenyan African national Union (KANU) and the released former leader Jomo Kenyatta took over its leadership. When KANU won the next year they voted in favor of parliamentary democracy. In 1963 Kenya was declared independent and Jomo Kenyatta became the first President. Soon differences of opinion with the opposition led to internal strife and political murders in Kenya. They were suppressed to a large extent with the help of the military force. Daniel Arap Moi took over from Kenyatta and then began a period of autocratic rule in Kenya .He ruthlessly suppressed rebellions within the country of Kenya as well as other points of discord with the neighboring countries. Kenya also witnessed political assassinations. |
| International aid donors threatened to withdraw support due to the humanitarian violations in Kenya. In the face of severe international pressure and criticism Arap Moi managed to win for the fifth time. Later Arap Moi appointed Uhuru Kenyatta, the son of former President Jomo Kenyatta to be his successor. Meanwhile ethnic clashes broke out in Kenya and by 2001 Moi decided to leave the office of President to opposition leader Mwai Kibaki.
Kenya Today
Kibaki has kicked started a wave of reforms in Kenya especially in the field of education, to give free primary schooling to all children. Today Kenya has been steadily moving towards a more stable, multi-party political system. The economy has developed tremendously and the tourism industry in the country is also booming
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