Kenya's history spans over 6 million years — from cradle of humanity, Bantu migrations, Swahili coast, British colonization, independence, to modern Kenya.
Cradle of Humanity (6 million BC - 500 BC)
Earliest human ancestors lived in Kenyas Rift Valley — Australopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus. Lake Turkana area UNESCO site. Bantu and Nilotic peoples migrated into Kenya.
Swahili Coast (700-1498)
Arab traders settled coast from 7th c. Mixed with Bantu — created Swahili culture and language. City-states Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu prospered through Indian Ocean trade with Persia, India, China.
Portuguese and Omani (1498-1885)
Vasco da Gama reached Mombasa 1498. Portuguese controlled coast 1500-1729. Omani Arabs took over 1729-1885. Slave trade — millions sent to Arabia and India.
British East Africa (1885-1963)
Berlin Conference 1885 gave Britain East Africa. British East Africa Protectorate 1895. Kenya-Uganda Railway 1896-1901 — built with 32,000 Indian workers. White settlers took fertile highlands.
Mau Mau and Independence (1952-1963)
Mau Mau Uprising 1952-1960 against British — 11,000 Kenyans killed, 80,000 in concentration camps. Independence December 12, 1963. Jomo Kenyatta first president.
Modern Kenya (1963-today)
One-party state under Kenyatta and Daniel Moi (1978-2002). Multi-party democracy 1992. Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta (son of Jomo). William Ruto since 2022. 54 million population. East Africa economic hub. Tourism, tea, coffee, flowers.