KENYA

The Republic of Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border. The country is named after Mount Kenya, a very significant landmark. Before 1920, the area now known as Kenya was known as the British East Africa Protectorate and so there was no need to mention mount when referring to the mountain.

MISSIONARIES:

Piercey, Jerry & Shara
Stringfield, Larry & Martha

HISTORY:

The first historical references to Kenya refer to Cushitic speaking agro-pastoral people from the north, Ethiopia, and pastoral Nolites followed from the Nile valley moving across to modern day Kenya during 3000 to 1500 BC. Also, Bantu speaking cattle herders and cultivators came from Sudan and West Africa between 500 BC and 500 AD. By about 800 AD Omani-Arab traders operated down the east African coast, under the Sultan of Zanzibar, and intermarried with the Bantu creating the Swahili culture.

In the 16th and 17th Centuries the Portuguese gained control of coastal trade, but Arab resistance saw their power restored. During 1780 to 1850 Britain, France Germany and America established trading concessions with Zanzibar, but by 1895 Kenya had become a British protectorate. During the late 1890s and early 1900s the Kenya-Uganda railway was built and a white settler community was established.

When Kenya became a British colony in 1919, organized African political activity developed. By 1944 KANU (Kenya African National Union) had formed, and Jomo Kenyatta became KANU's President in 1947. The Mau Mau uprising (1952-56) which resulted in over 10,000 deaths led to Kenyatta becoming Prime Minister of an independent Kenya in 1963.

Jomo Kenyatta died in 1978 and was succeeded by Daniel Arap Moi. Although other political parties were by now permitted, Moi and Kanu were returned to power in 1992 and again in 1997, though with substantial opposition.

RELIGION:

A large proportion of the Kenyan population are Christians found mainly outside the coastal and eastern provinces. Muslims make up some 30% of the population found in the coastal areas and in the eastern side of the country - the rest is a combination of other minority religions such as Hindus, Buddhist and those who follow their ancestral tribal beliefs.