The Colonial Experience

In 1940 Kenyans began defying rule the main opposition was a chief from Kikuyu in central Africa named Leader was Jomo Kenyatta. In 1944 Kikuyus and other Kenyans formed the Kenyan African Union (KAU) which was a political organization/party.(A) In the late 1940’s the movement that the Kenyans started was called Mau Mau.(A) The Kenyans demanded new political actions. In 1952 the British took military action because members of the movement committed terrorist actions in which the British jailed thousands of Kenyans. 1953 Jomo Kenyatta was convicted for leading the movement which caused the Kenya’s to uproar. The fighting continued till 1956 which 13,000 thousand people were killed. In the late 1950’s ethnic groups began demanding African rule. In February of 1961 Brits ask for new parliament were Kenyatta’s group won (KANU).(A) They refused to take office unless release Kenyatta, did not release him till august 1961.