Kenyatta, Jomo

Kenyatta, Jomo (b. 10 Oct. 1891, d. 22 Aug. 1978). Prime Minister of Kenya 1963–4; President 1964–78 Born in Gatandu and a member of the Kikuyu people. Politically active since the early 1920s, he became general secretary of the Kikuyu Central Association (Kenya) in 1924, and in 1929 went to London to press the Association's demands for greater African equality. During his time in England, he developed his political ideas. In 1945 he founded the Pan-African Federation with Nkrumah, whereupon the two became role models not only for their own respective countries, but for all Black African leaders. He returned to Kenya in 1946, but was arrested in 1952 for his alleged leadership of the Mau Mau rebellion. After the KANU (Kenyan African National Union) won the 1961 elections in preparation for independence, he was released on 14 August 1961, and became KANU president. He became Prime Minister in 1963, and remained in this position after independence. On 12 December 1964, he became his country's first President. Against the left wing of the party, he established a pro-Western economic policy and successfully attracted investment into the country. Through his immense status, integrity, pragmatism, and popularity, he was able to keep Kenya's forty or so different peoples united.