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Formation of British East African Protectorate
Kenya had been a German protectorate in 1885
- Early struggle with foreign dominance -
White settlers move into highlands
- Railway built from Mombasa to Lake Victoria against the will of local tribes
- Inflow of Indian workers to build railway
- African and Indian workers formed distinct Indian communities (ex.: Ismaili Muslim + Sikh communities)
- Europeans became wealthy farming coffee and tea - Settlers introduced hut and poll taxes and took land, which led Africans to flee to cities and offer free labor
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East African Protectorate becomes crown colony of Kenya
The area is now administered by a British governor. -
KAU is formed
- The Kenyan African Union (KAU) campaigns for African independence
- First African appointment to legislative council
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Jomo Kenyatta becomes KAU leader
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Start of Mau Mau campaigns
- Secret Kikuyu guerrilla group known as Mau Mau begins violent campaign against white settlers
- State of emergency declared
- Kenyatta arrested
-
KAU is banned
Kenyatta is charged with management of Mau Mau and jailed -
Mau Mau rebellion put down
Thousands killed - mainly Africans. -
Kenyatta released from jail
But he remains under house arrest. -
State of emergency ends
- Britain announces plans to prepare Kenya for majority African rule. -- Kenya African national Union (KANU) formed by Tom Mboya and Oginga Odinga.
-
Kenyatta assumes presidency of KANU
Kenyatta ia finally freed. -
Kenya gains independence
Kenyatta becomes prime minister. -
Republic of Kenya formed
Kenyatta becomes president and Odinga vice-president.
