Jomo Kenyatta

Jomo Kenyatta (October 20, 1892?–August 22, 1978) was an African politician, the first Prime Minister (1963–1964) and President (1964–1978) of an independent Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan Nation.

Early life

Kenyatta was born Kamau wa Ngengi in the village of Ichaweri, Gatundu in British East Africa (now Kenya). The year is uncertain: it may have been as early as 1889 or as late as 1895. He assisted his medicine man grandfather as a child after his parents' death. He went to school in the Scottish Mission Centre at Thogoto and was converted to Christianity in 1914 with the name John Peter, which he later changed to Johnstone Kamau. He moved to Nairobi. During the First World War he lived with Maasai relatives in Narok and worked as a clerk.

Related Topics:
Ichaweri - Gatundu - British East Africa - 1889 - 1895 - Medicine man - Thogoto - Christianity - 1914 - Nairobi - First World War - Maasai - Narok

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In 1920 he married Grace Wahu and worked in the Nairobi City Council water department. His son Peter Muigai was born on November 20. He entered politics in 1924 when he joined the Kikuyu Central Association. In 1928 he worked on Kĩkũyũ land problems before the Hilton Young Commission in Nairobi. In 1928 he began to edit the newspaper Muigwithania (Reconciler)

Related Topics:
1920 - November 20 - 1924 - Kikuyu Central Association - 1928 - Kĩkũyũ - Nairobi

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