Jomo Kenyatta

c. 1897 – 22 August 1978

Jomo Kenyatta was a Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician who governed Kenya as its first prime minister and then president. A leading figure in the independence movement, he is regarded as the founding father of the Kenyan nation.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Jomo Kenyatta.

Life events

Born in Kiambu, British East Africa
c. 1897

Kenyatta was born into a Kikuyu family, with his exact birth year uncertain.

Birth ?
Studied in London
1934 – 1938

He studied anthropology under Bronisław Malinowski at the London School of Economics.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published Facing Mount Kenya
1938

He published his influential anthropological study of the Kikuyu people.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Became leader of the Kenya African Union
1947

He took over leadership of the KAU to press for African political rights.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Convicted and imprisoned during the Mau Mau Uprising
1953 – 1961

He was convicted of managing the Mau Mau society and imprisoned by colonial authorities.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became Prime Minister of Kenya
June 1963

He led Kenya to independence and became its first prime minister.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Became President of Kenya
12 December 1964 – 22 August 1978

When Kenya became a republic, he became its first president.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Died in Mombasa
22 August 1978

He died in office in Mombasa, Kenya.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓