Jomo Kenyatta

Who was Jomo Kenyatta?

Jomo Kenyatta was a politician in East Africa, who negotiated independence for Kenya with the British, and became Kenya's first prime minister.

When was Jomo Kenyatta around?

Jomo Kenyatta was born in c.1891, and died in 1978. He became Kenya's first prime minister in 1963.

Where was Jomo Kenyatta active?

Jomo Kenyatta was from the Kikuyu tribe in East Africa, in the area that became Kenya.

What were Jomo Kenyatta's achievements?

There were a number of important events in Jomo Kenyatta's career.

• ❖ Kenyatta was a politician in the Kenya African Union.
• ❖ He was arrested during the Mau Mau rebellion and imprisoned, even though he probably had nothing to do with the rebellion. He was convicted in a rigged trial.
• ❖ After Britain was criticised for committing atrocities against Mau Mau rebels, the government decided it needed to negotiate independence for Kenya, earlier than they had intended.
• ❖ Kenyatta was released from prison in 1961, and he led independence negotiations with the British.
• ❖ When Kenya gained independence in 1963, Kenyatta became the country's first prime minister.

What was the significance of Jomo Kenyatta?

These are some of the ways in which Jomo Kenyatta was significant.

• ❖ Kenyatta helped to organise the Pan-African Congress in Manchester in 1945 - the discussions there laid the groundwork for the independence of African countries.
• ❖ On his release from prison in 1961, Kenyatta led negotiations for independence between Kenyans and the British government. He became Kenya's first prime minister in 1963.
• ❖ Within Kenya, Kenyatta is considered the 'Father of the Nation' and given the honorary title of Mzee ('Grand old man'). He has received praise for his anti-colonial and Pan-African activism.
• ❖ He has had a number of places named after him - e.g. Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, the country's main airport.