Kenya’s Road To Independence

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In the year 1942, fellows of the Kikuyu, Meru, Kamba, and Embu tribes took an oath of unity and secrecy to fight for independence from British decree. The Mau Mau movement initiated with that oath and Kenya ventured on its relentless journey to National sovereignty. The Mau Mau movement was a militant African nationalist unit that resisted against the British authority and its colonial rule. The Mau Mau members were chiefly made up of Kenya’s largest tribe, Kikuyu. The Kikuyu conducted intense assaults against their colonial leaders. Between the years 1952 and 1956, the British overpowered the Mau Mau over a violent operation of military action. Nevertheless, the Mau Mau Rebellion also convinced the British that social, agrarian and political improvements were essential for Kenya’s future.

Journeying back to year 2000 B C, Cushitic speakers from northern region Africa settled in east Africa, known as the land of Kenya. During the 1st century AD, the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa was chiefly settled by Arab and Persian traders by which Arab and Persian colonies were established. In the first millennium AD, the Nilotic and Bantu speakers migrated into the region and settled inland.

Progressing from a combination of Arabic and Bantu, the Swahili language was developed as a tool for communication for trade amongst different people. When the Portuguese disembarked in the year 1498, the port of Mombasa became a major resupply stop for ships. During the 1600s, the Portuguese started dominating the Islamic religion under the sultan of Oman until another European barricade came along. Followed by the United Kingdom in the 19th century.

The roots of the colonial history of Kenya travels back to the Berlin Conference in 1885, whe...

... middle of paper ...

...rt and the whereabouts of the Mau Mau. The Mau Mau started killing their own men, because they knew the plan of the British, therefore, instead of the Mau Mau killing the British it was the Mau Mau killing the Africans so fundamentally it was Africans killing Africans. The British watching Africa’s cruelty decided to simply give up Kenya’s independence.

Bibliography

· Curtis, Mark. "The Mau Mau War in Kenya, 1952-60 | Mark Curtis." Mark Curtis. N.p., n.d. Web.

28 Apr. 2014.

· Elkins, Caroline. "The Struggle in for Mau Mau Rehabilitation in Late Colonial Kenya."Jstor. Boston University African Studies Center, 2000. Web.

06 May. 2014.

· "History in an Hour." History in an Hour. N.p., n.d. Web.

06 May. 2014.

· Newsinger, John. "Revolt and Repression in Kenya: The "Mau Mau" Rebellion." Jstor. N.p., n.d. Web.

01 May. 2014.

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