Madaraka Day in Kenya

in #ulog6 years ago

Down Town Nairobi, Kenya
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Hello Boys and Girls of Steemit,

So today was a national holiday in Kenya- we call it Madaraka day. At least people get a day off work. It is the day when Kenya got the freedom to manage its internal affairs. This happened 55 years ago on 1 June 1963. Before this the British were all up in our business running and benefiting from our resources. The story began in 1885 when the Germans took over a large part of Kenya including the modern day Tanzania. Later in 1890, the British arrived and they made a pact with Germany where they took over Kenya and Germany kept Tanzania. This pact between Great Britain and Germany formed the East African Protectorate in 1895.

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It seems that the British were awestruck by this exotic land called Kenya. The weather was perfect, big swathes of forests , clear rivers, waterfalls, the great rift valley, the snow caped mount Kenya, the wild life etc. So from 1895 they started coming in huge numbers. Since they had guns they seized the most fertile agricultural land and threw out the natives. They were ruthless and didn't give a damn.

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In 1920, Kenya was declared a colony of the British Empire and they formerly formed a government to run the country. We were literally their slaves as no African was included in that Government.They took over everything and set up a sort of apartheid system. It was not until 1944 when a few Africans were elected but only to minor positions.

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This was not enough and Kenyans were now fed up of being colonized on their own land by foreigners. All the big ranches were for whites, all the good schools,houses, hospitals,hotels, parks were for the whites too. People had had enough, so in 1952 there was a big rebellion against British rule in Kenya called Mau Mau. It was mostly formed by the Kikuyu tribe around the central highland areas.

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The conflict lasted until 1959, and many thousands of Kikuyu were killed, while only 650 British citizens perished. Despite the rebellion’s failure, it led to policy changes. Africans were allowed to elect legislators in 1957, and on June 1st, 1963, internal self-rule was granted. At this point, a Kikuyu tribesman named Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya’s first prime minister. We always remember this day and celebrate our fallen heroes.
Later in the same year, on 12th December 1963- The British gave full Independence to Kenya and Jomo Kenyatta became the first president . Over the years we have had 2 other presidents but the current one Uhuru Kenyatta is the son of Jomo Kenyatta.

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This is Jomo Kenyatta- The first president of Kenya (Founding Father)


Queen Elizabeth II and husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to President Kenyatta in 1972


This is our current president- Uhuru Kenyatta, Wife and 3 children

That is a brief history of Madaraka Day when celebrate our heroes/heroines who died in the fight for our country.Though we still have problems in Kenya, at least we are an independent democratic country that governs itself.

If you liked it remember to upvote and leave a comment below.

Image Sources https://www.google.com/

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so beautiful photography,, i liked your post,, upvoted

Thank you for stopping by Yousaf :)

I had no idea Kenya is so beautiful. I also knew little of the history. Good post!

Thank you for your comment- Kenya is indeed beautiful, the western media mostly focuses on the negatives they rarely show Africa in a positive light.

This post has received a $22.22 % upvote from @siditech thanks to: @practicaleric.
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Wow! I learned something new today. I’ve had history lessons, but not this one. Interesting. Thanks! I’m glad you got your independence back. 👍

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