Anti-Colonial Leader

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

The Anti-Colonial Leader I'm researching was Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya. Jomo Kenyatta was a Kenyan statesman and the dominant figure in the development of African nationalism in East Africa. His long career in public life made him the undisputed leader of the African people of Kenya in their struggle for independence. Kenyatta was born October 20, 1891 (the birth date is ununsure; other sources might say 1890, 1893, or 1897), in Ngenda, Kiambu District, British East Africa Protectorate. Which is now Kenya. Kenyatta took the name Johnstone Kamau,in 1914. He was later known as Jomo Kenyatta. Jomo attended University College,in London and studied in Moscow. Kenyatta was a postgraduate studying anthropology,in London School of Economics,in 1937. Kenyatta was a christian. Kenyatta was a Store clerk and water works maintenance employee for Nairobi Municipality,from 1921-26. He was also a Kikuyu Central Association, secretary,starting 1928-40. In addition,a KCA representative in England intermittently between 1929 and 1945. He also worked as a teacher, farm laborer, and lecturer, co-organizer of 5th Pan-African Congress,Independent Teachers' College vice principal, president of Kenya African Union party.
Kenyatta was later imprisoned by British Government for alleged role in Mau Mau terrorism,from 1953-61,and most importantly became president of Kenya, December 12, 1964 to August 22, 1978.
Kenyatta made his opinion on the murder clear: he warned that further opposition would bring further bloodshed after A courageous and popular politician named Josiah Kariuki began to speak out against the corruption surrounding the aged president. "Kenya does not need ten millionaires and ten million beggars," he declared in a speech quoted by the London Times in 1975. Soon afterwards, Kariuki was kidnapped from the Nairobi Hilton, tortured, and murdered, his body lying unclaimed in a mortuary for a long time before one of his wives identified it.
Jomo Kenyatta died in his sleep on August 22, 1978,on Mombasa, Kenya. Vice President Daniel arap Moi, gained control of the government. Kenyatta still holds the title of "the father of Kenyan independence" and a figure for the battle to promote black rule and throughout Africa. Kenyatta wrote books like "Facing Mount Kenya" (1938), "My people of Kikuyu and the life of Chief Wangombe"(1944),"Suffering Without Bitterness" (biography 1968),"Kenya: The land of conflict" (1971),and
"The challenge of Uhuru;: The progress of Kenya, 1968 to 1970" (1971).