Kenya's history dates back many centuries. Dr Leakey found a skull near Lake Turkana that is dated 2.5 million years old. The initial tribal groups developed their own religions, traditions, and ruling systems. The Cushtic tribes came from Ethiopia; the Niltic tribes from the Nile valley and the third group the Bantu were agriculturists and now the largest group of tribes.
Islam arrived along the coast in the 9th Century and over the next 5 centuries a large trading network developed along the coastal areas. The Portuguese captured Mombassa in 1505 and in 1593 constructed Fort Jesus in Mombassa which is open to visitors. The Portuguese left in 1720 following battles with the Omanis.
The first white settlers arrived in the late 1800’s and development started with the construction of the railway from Mombassa to Kisumu in 1885. Kenya became a protectorate in 1905 and in1920 a British Colony.
The period of liberation started in 1948 with the Mau Mau freedom fight. Kenya gained independence on 12 December 1963. Jomo Kenyatta, the first president used the slogan "Harambee" to motivate the process of national development.
Jomo Kenyatta died in 1978 and was followed by Daniel Arap Moi who remained President for 24 years. In 2002 Moi resigned and Kibaki became President under the National Rainbow Coalition. Elections are due in 2007.
Kenya is now actively developing and fast becoming a hub for surrounding countries. A population in excess of 30 million with the majority living in rural areas. A country with a strong industrial base, developed banking system, good communications, free press and some world leading companies means that Kenya is poised for significant development during this century.
Gedi Ruins
The Gedi ruins are just south of Watamu. A collection of palaces, houses and mosques that was a busy town in the 13th Century. The city was abandoned in the 1800's and the reasons are not entirely clear but probably due to attacks from the tribes in Somalia and Malawi. The site was only rediscovered in the 1920's as forest had hidden the city. The ruins cover an extensive area.
Hyraz Hill Museum
Louis Leakey discovered an iron age dwelling and Neolithic burial mound here in 1926, just outside Nakuru. Oloorgesaille Pre – Historic Site
This 50 km pre- historic site of the Middle Pleistocene Age is 70 km from Nairobi on the Magadi Road. First discovered in 1942 by Mary Leakey and now being excavated by the Smithsonian Institute. The museum exhibits some of the stone age tools and fossils of extinct mammals. Four cottages can be booked via the National Museums of Kenya.
Jumba la Mtwana
Just north of Mombassa is this 13th Century Swahili settlement Kariandusi Pre –Historic Site
Dr Leakey made some of his discoveries here during the period 1928 – 1947 and the museum displays some of the finds. Located on the road to Nakuru close to Lake Elmenteita.
Koobi Fora
On the east side of lake Turkana a site of human evolution made famous by the discovery of a skull of Homo habilis. Camping facilities can be booked via the National Museums of Kenya.
Minarani
A Swahili settlement on the south side of the Kilifi Creek on the North coast.
Thimlich Ohinga
An example of a dry stone enclosure in South Nyanza, Western Kenya.
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