The Hola Massacre: When British Colonial Brutality Was Laid Bare

state of emergency in kenya

Hizi chuom za history ya Kenya, there are many dark chapters, but few are as grotesquely revealing as the events of March 3, 1959, at Hola Camp. Officially, it was described as an incident where eleven Mau Mau detainees met their untimely deaths due to “pulmonary edema caused by shock and hemorrhage.” Unofficially, it was … Read more

The Medieval Swahili Civilization: Unearthing the Secrets of Gede and Beyond

In 1948, Dr. James Kirkman, a university archaeologist, embarked on a journey to uncover the secrets of Gede, an ancient Swahili city buried in the dense coastal bush and sand of Kenya. This city, likely inhabited from the late 13th century and abandoned for around 300 years, was a once-thriving Islamic metropolis. Spanning 45 acres, … Read more

Age not Intellect: A staple for kenyan leadership?

Age not Intellect: A staple for kenyan leadership?

Leadership was once a domain reserved for the elderly, grounded in the logic that accumulated years of observation and reflection naturally translated into wisdom. Drawing from dialectical materialism, knowledge was a progression—from sensory-perceptual experiences to abstract reasoning and intellectual maturity. In this framework, older individuals in any community held the upper hand in understanding and … Read more

The Importance of Authority in Historical Information

When it comes to history, the concept of authority holds immense importance. Authority, in this context, refers to the weight and reliability of the information presented. As we strive to understand the past, the credibility of the source plays a vital role in separating fact from fiction, particularly in cases where modern tools of historical … Read more

The Maasai Prophecy: How a Vision Foretold the Fall of Africa’s Greatest Pastoralists

maasai woorriors

Long before the British set foot in Maasailand, when the Maasai warriors still roamed free across the vast plains of East Africa, a revered elder stood before his people and spoke of a troubling vision. “A flock of white birds will come,” he warned, “and they will bring with them devastation. The cattle will die, … Read more

Unveiling the Rich Heritage of the Kikuyu People

kikuyu history

As of 2019, the population of the Kikuyu people was 8,148,668, making them the largest ethnic group in Kenya. This represented 17.13% of Kenya’s total population.[1] This makes the Kikuyu the second-biggest ethnic group in East Africa after the Baganda of Uganda, whose population is estimated at 8.8 million.[2] Today, the Kikuyu people are known … Read more

The masked Torusiek of the Kipsigis

Traditionally, initiation within Kipsikis culture was not solely a male domain. Female torusiek underwent their distinct rites, which, although different in practice from those of their male counterparts, were essential in ushering them into womanhood. Rooted deeply in tribal beliefs, these ceremonies were imbued with layers of symbolic meaning reflecting views on gender, responsibility, and … Read more