1952: A political Kikuyu group called "Mau Mau" starts violent attacks on white settlers. The Mau Mau guerillas are organized in Kenya Land Freedom Army (KFLA). Jomo Kenyatta is regarded to be leader of the "Mau Mau" and he is jailed the following year. The Mau Mau rebellion continues and Britain declares a state of emergency in Kenya.
February 6, 1952: The young Elizabeth stays in the Aberdare Treetop Hotel when her father, King George VI, dies of cancer. She returns to England as Queen Elizabeth II.
October 1956: The leader of KLFA, general Dedan Kimanthi is captured by British troops with assistance from a loyal Kikuyu group. The Mau Mau are now without efficient leadership.
1956: The Mau Mau warriors kill more Africans loyal to the British than white people. Around 50,000 British soldiers are set in against the rebellion. They burn down villages and carry out bomb attacks from airplanes. When the rebellion is finally put down a total of app. 12,000 Africans are killed -and only about 30 Europeans. 100,000 Africans are imprisoned.
1957: Dedan Kimanthi is executed.
195?: Kenyan songwriter Fadhili William records the pop song Malaika The song becomes a world-wide hit and as has since been recorded by several other artists.
1957: Ghana is the first African colony to gain independence.
1959: Kenyatta is transferred from jail to house arrest. Formation of political parties is now allowed and African politicians are invited for negotiations in London.
1960: Britain gives in to the pressure and starts preparing Kenya for independence. Estimated 60,000 Europeans now live in Kenya.
1960: A team of archaeologists led by Mary and Louis Leakey finds a skull of Homo Habilis near Lake Turukana in Northern Kenya. The skull is estimated to be 1.8 million years old.
1961: House arrest ends for Kenyatta and he becomes leader of the political party KANU.
No comments:
Post a Comment