Jomo Kenyatta

Kenyan statesman, first Prime Minister and President of Kenya (1963-1978)

3 quotes in the MindQuotes library.

About

Jomo Kenyatta, born Kamau wa Ngengi around 1894, was a central figure in Kenya's independence. After studying anthropology in London, he published 'Facing Mount Kenya' (1938). Returning to Kenya, he became president of the Kenya African Union. Imprisoned for his alleged role in the Mau Mau rebellion, he became Prime Minister in 1963 and President in 1964. His tenure saw economic growth and stability, but also centralization of power and the banning of opposition in 1969. He remains a respected figure, known as 'Mzee' (Father of the Nation).

* 1893-10-20 — † 1978-08-22

Major works

Facing Mount Kenya (1938)ethnological study

Key milestones

1928Becomes general secretary of the Kikuyu Central Association.
1963Becomes Prime Minister of self-governing Kenya, then President after full independence.
1969Bans the opposition KPU, making Kenya a de facto one-party state.

Themes

National independenceNational unityEconomic developmentCentralization of powerAfrican cultural identity

Sources: britannica.com · presidentiallibrary.go.ke

“We do not want to keep the country in a state of poverty and backwardness. We want to make it a modern state.”

— Jomo KenyattaTheme · Politics

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“Our children may learn about the heroes of the past. Our task is to make ourselves the architects of the future.”

— Jomo KenyattaTheme · Leadership

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“When the missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and the missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.”

— Jomo KenyattaTheme · History

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