1920
Kenya becomes a colony
1921
Harry Thuku, a telephone clerk in Nairobi forms the Young Kikuyu Association
Young Kikuyu Association draws a petition containing grievances on labour, land and ‘Kipande’, which Africans had to carry.
1922
January
“We are pledged by undertakings given in the past to reserve the highlands of East Africa exclusively for European settlers and do not intend to depart from that pledge. And it may be taken as a matter which is definitely settled,” says Sir Winston Churchill.
March
African nationalist Harry Thuku is arrested. The European press accuses M.A Desai, President of the Indian Congress, of instigating Harry Thuku.
September
Kamau wa Ngengi (later Johnstone Kamau and thereafter Jomo Kenyatta) becomes a member of the Committee of the East African Association.
1924
Harry Thuku maintains that only elected Africans can genuinely represent African interests.
1928
Jomo Kenyatta starts the Kikuyu paper, Mwigwithania.
1929
Jomo Kenyatta departs for England to make personal representation about grievances of the Kikuyu.
1931
African nationalist Harry Thuku is released from detention.
1934
Kenya Land commission report legally closes the frontier between the European Highlands and the African Land units. Africans are denied any rights in the White Highlands
North Kavirondo Central Association is formed.
1935
Harry Thuku breaks from Kikuyu Central Association and forms Kikuyu Provincial Association.
1937
November 12
The Secretary of State for Colonies, Mr Ormsby-Gore, reaffirms that the White Highlands in Kenya are exclusively for Europeans and that Africans and Asians cannot acquire land there.
1938
Jomo Kenyatta publishes his first book, Facing Mount Kenya.
Ukamba Members Association is formed.
The Akamba people march to Nairobi to protest against the government policy of de-stocking. Their leader Samuel Muindi wa Mbingu is deported to Lamu.
1940
Kikuyu Central Association, the Ukamba Members Association, and the Taita Hills Association are banned and their leaders arrested.
1944
Mr Eliud Mathu is nominated the first African member of the Legco.
Kenya African Study Union is formed.
1946
Kenya African Study Union drops the word study from its name to become Kenya African Union (KAU).
1947
Makhan Singh and Chege Kiobachia lead the first strike by African workers in Nairobi
KAU president Mr. James Gichuru steps down to make way for Jomo Kenyatta to become KAU president.
The number of African members to Legco is raised to four.
Kipande system is abolished and replaced by an identity card system.
1948
Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika form the East African commission.
Mau Mau freedom fight begins
1949
Makhan Singh and Fred Kubai form East African Trade Union Congress in Nairobi to fight for the rights of African workers.
1950
KAU and The Kenya Indian Congress hold public meeting at Kaloleni Hall in Nairobi.
Trade unionist Makhan Singh’s resolution demanding for independence for Est Africa is carried.
Mau Mau is declared an illegal society.
Makhan Singh is tried by the High court and detained as “an undesirable British subject”
1951
African Elected members demand for more African representation, Right to own and occupy land anywhere in Kenya, all immigration to stop and higher posts in central and local government
1952
October 20
The Governor, Sir Evelyn Baring declares a state of emergency. This followed the killing of a loyalist Kikuyu chief, Waruhiu by Mau Mau freedom fighters.
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Messrs Paul Ngei, Achieng’ Oneko, Bildad Kaggia, Fred Kubai and Kungu Karumba are arrested by the colonial security forces.
1953
January 26
The Kapenguria trial begins
April 8
The Kapenguria six-Jomo Kenyatta and fellow freedom fighters, Fred Kubai, Achieng Oneko, Paul Ngei, Bildad Kaggia and Kung’u Karumba are found guity and sentenced to seven years in prison with, hard labour.
1954
A prominent Mau Mau leader ‘General China’ Waruhiu Itote is captured by Colonial Government forces and imprisoned at Lokitaung.
April
Colonial Government mounts “Operation Anvil” against Mau Mau elements in Nairobi and arrests 27,000 Kikuyu who are put into detention camps
September 3
Field Marshal Olekisiso, the leader and organiser of Mau Mau in the Rotin division of Maasailand and second-in-command to Dedan Kimathi since the arrest of General China, is killed in an ambush in Narok.
September 5
Mau Mau leader General Kalasinga is killed in Nyeri.
November 7
Nineteen Mau Mau freedom fighters are jailed after being found guilty of illegal possession of arms.
November 9
A fierce battle between Mau Mau fighters and colonial forces near Thika leaves 23 soldiers injured.
November 10
The trial of Gatiti Kabutu alias Field Marshal Lale, leader of the Mau Mau fighters operating around Mt Kenya opens in Nyeri.
November 12, 1954
Gatiti Kabutu, a Mau Mau fighter, is found guilty of illegal possession of a revolver and sentenced to death
1956
“Field Marshall” Dedan Kimathi of Mau Mau forces is shot at, wounded and captured.
According to the Corfield report, 13,423 Africans are killed and thousands wounded at the height of the Mau Mau resistance by 31 December 1956.
November 19
The trial of Dedan Kimathi begins before the Supreme Court.
1957
February 18
Dedan Kimathi, the Mau Mau leader, is hanged at Kamiti Prison aged 34.
The state of emergency ends
March
Elections for eight African Members of Legco are held for the first time.
1958
Demands for a constitutional conference and release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta are made. Mr Oginga Odinga asks questions in the Legco about Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in prison.
1959
There are now twenty-five African members, fifteen Asians, five Arab and forty six Europeans in the Legco representation.
Pan African Movement of East and Central Africa is founded.
March
Nairobi People’s Convention Party is formed and “Release Kenyatta” campaign launched.
April 14
Mzee Kenyatta and his companions complete three-quarter of their sentence of imprisonment and become eligible for release. A restriction order is immediately applied and Mzee Kenyatta is detained at Maralal, 90 miles south of Lodwar.
November 10
Announcements are made in London and in Kenya promising end of the state of emergency.
1960
January 12
The state of emergency and the emergency regulations declared in 1952 ends after 7 years of war against Mau Mau. The Governor, Sir Patrick Renison signed a proclamation to this effect.
January 18
Kenya constitutional conference starts at Lancaster House in London.
Mr Macleod, Secretary of state for the colonies, refuses to admit Mr. P.M. Koinange as a second special adviser to African delegation.
The African elected members led by Mr. Ronald Ngala and Mr. Tom Mboya boycott the Lancaster conference.
January 25
The deadlock at Kenya constitutional conference at Lancaster House ends and there is full attendance at the talks.
February 21
Kenya constitutional conference at Lancaster House without ends after five weeks.
March
Kenya African National Union (Kanu) is formed.
May 14
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta who is still in prison is elected, in absentia, President of the newly formed party, Kanu, while Mr. James Gichuru is elected acting president until Kenyatta is released.
June 26
Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU) is formed.
November 17
Kanu releases its long-awaited policy statement, calling for independence under Jomo Kenyatta.
1961
February 26
People of all races go to polls in the colony’s first general elections amidst calls for release of MzeeJomoKenyatta.
March 14
KADU Cabinet ministers Mr. Ronald Ngala and Mr.TaittaTowett, protest against Governor Patrick Renison’s refusal to release Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
June 18
Kanu leaders James Gichuru and Tom Mboya arrive in London for talks with the Colonial Secretary and announce they have resolved to work closely with KADU to achieve independence.
July 12
Mr J. D. Shah, a member of the Legislative Council, criticises the existence of the European and Asian hospital authorities and calls for abolition of racial segregation in schools.
July 27
Restriction order imposed on African nationalist, Kungu Karumba, who was arrested in 1952 and jailed with Mzee Jomo Kenyatta for seven years, is lifted.
August 14
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and his companions are released from detention in Maralal.
August 21
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta steps out of his Gatundu home completely free after the lifting of his final restriction order.
October 22
Founder of Kenya Federation of Labour Markhan Singh says he will remain communist at heart after being freed from restriction
Kadu leaders censure Jomo Kenyatta for referring to them as traitors out to delay independence
October 28
Mzee Kenyatta becomes president of Kanu and is given full powers to lead and re-organise it into an efficient, effective and disciplined party to win Kenya’s Uhuru.
Jomo Kenyatta criticises Kadu’s majimbo policy in his first speech since becoming Kanu president.
November 19
Jomo Kenyatta arrives in Nairobi after a five-day visit to Ethiopia, and accuses Britain of unnecessarily delaying Kenya’s independence.
November 24
Mr Reginald Maulding, the British colonial secretary, arrives in Kenya to hold talks with Kanu and KADU officials on the formation of a coalition government.
1962
January 12
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta is elected unopposed in a by-election after Mr. Kariuki Njiri Legco member for Fort Hall, vacates his seat for him.
February 14
The Lancaster House Constitutional Conference in London starts with Kanu President Jomo Kenyatta demanding in his opening speech that the conference must name a date for Kenya’s full independence.
March 5
The Kenya constitutional conference in London starts a detailed examination of the Majimbo (regionalism) proposals of the KADU.
April 2
Colonial Secretary Reginald Maudling presents Kenyan political leaders with his final23-point draft framework for Kenya’s constitution in London and gives them 48 hours to make up their minds about it.
April 5
Kanu and KADU form a coalition government.
June 14
‘General China’ Waruhiu Itote a freedom fighter living in restriction in Northern Province is released.
June 18
Mr. Bildad Kaggia, the chairman of Kanu’s Naivasha Sub-branch, criticises Mr. Bruce Mackenzie’s proposal to settle 2,000 Kikuyu families in Tanganyika, describing the move as indirect deportation.
November 17
Sir Patrick Renison resigns as governor and is replaced by Malcolm McDonald
November 19
Mr Paul Ngei threatens to leave Kanu with his 750,000 Kamba supporters and form a new party following a disagreement with party officials.
INDEPENDENT KENYA
1963
June 1
Kenya achieves internal self-Governance.
A new constitution comes into effect.
Kanu’s president Jomo Kenyatta is sworn in as Prime minister.
In his inaugural speech Mzee Jomo Kenyatta gives Kenya the Motto ‘Harambee’, meaning let’s pull together.
Governor Malcolm Macdonald becomes the first Governor-General.
July 10
The first round of Kenya’s independence talks begins at Government House (State House), Nairobi.
July 26
Kenya’s national flag that combines the colours of Kanu and KADU with a shield and crossed spears at its centre and coat of arms bearing Kenya’s national motto “Harambee.”is officially introduced.
September 25
Kenya’s National Anthem is finally ready.
September 26
The third and final Lancaster House constitutional Conference on Kenya starts.
November 6
Lord Delamere’s statue at the intersection of Nairobi’s Delamere Avenue and Hardinge street is taken down by the City Council.
December 12
Kenya achieves Independence from Britain.
The Duke of Edinburgh hands over power to Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya’s prime minister.
Kisoi Munyao hoists the new Kenyan flag on Mt Kenya, Kenya’s highest mountain, 17,058ft above sea level.
December 14
Miss Elizabeth Mumbi is crowned Miss Uhuru by Mama Ngina Kenyatta during the Daily Nation/Taifa Leo Miss Uhuru Contest at the Doonholm Road Stadium, Nairobi.
December 16
Honouring their promise to come out of the forest and surrender, several hundreds of ex-Mau Mau fighters and their leaders gave themselves up to the Prime Minister at Nyeri
December 26
Governor-General, Mr Malcolm Mac- Donald, declare a State of Emergency in North Eastern Province in an attempt to address shifta war.
1964
January 15
Prime minister opens East African Posts and Telecommunications.
January 16
The amnesty period for the surrender of former Mau mau fighters ends and anyone found armed in the forest is liable to prosecution.
January 24
Attempted mutiny by 11th Battalion Kenya Rifles at Lanet
February 5
Kenya Air force is formed with five young Kenyans at RAF base in Nairobi.
February 7
The 11th battalion Kenya Rifles disbanded to form First Battalion Kenya Rifles following mutiny.
February 21
Prime minister Jomo Kenyatta opens EA Oil Refineries in Mombasa.
April 10
Delegates from four East African nations gather in Nairobi for talks on Federation and the future of the East African Common Market. They were led by heads of state Prime Minister Kenyatta, Ugandan Prime minister Obote, Tanganyika’s President Julius Nyerere and Zanzibar’s President Karume.
April 15
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation is taken over by the government and renamed Voice of Kenya
April 17
Nairobi’s King Georg VI hospital is renamed Kenyatta National Hospital.
June 1
1st Madaraka anniversary
Kenya Air Force and National Youth service are launched.
June 8
Agriculture minister Bruce Mackenzie discloses that Kenya will use 1 million pounds to buy large Europeans farms for Africans.
June 10
Six year development plan is announced.
June 17
Prime Minister Kenyatta announces Kenya will scrap “Majimbo or Regional constitution” and become a Republic.
July 1
Voice of Kenya is inaugurated by Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta
July 4
Prime Minister Kenyatta leaves Nairobi for London to attend Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference.
July 15
Kenya’s Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta is attacked outside Hilton Hotel in London during Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference.
Kenya protest to Britain against attack on Prime Minister Kenyatta.
July 17
Kenya delegation attend OAU meeting in Cairo.
July 26
Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta returns to the country.
July 30
Kenya National Fund is launched.
August 5
Mr Ian Henderson, ex-kenya police officer and author of the best-seller The Hunt for Kimathi is among four Britons that are deported.
September 1
Lord Delamere becomes a Kenyan citizen.
September 11
Prime minister Jomo Kenyatta makes “back to the land “appeal to Kenyans.
September 18
OAU ad hoc committee on Congo meets in Nairobi under the chairmanship Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta.
October 1
The first motion of no confidence” against the Prime Minister of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta since independence by Mr. Masinde Muliro, Kadu’s deputy leader is defeated in the House of Representatives.
October 21
The Draft Constitution is completed in readiness for Republic Day.
November 3
Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill is passed by House of Representatives.
November 6
Tanzanian President Nyerere confer first University of East Africa degrees at Nairobi’s University College.
November 10
Kenya becomes a one-party state.
Kadu is dissolved and opposition members that included Ronald Ngala join the ruling Kanu government.
November 21
Oil refinery at Mombasa is opened.
December 10
Mr Oginga Odinga is named Kenya’s Vice-President in a cabinet reshuffle.
Last British troops leave Kenya.
December 11
Kenya’s first and last Governor-General MacDonald departs from Nairobi
December 12
Kenya becomes a republic exactly one year after independence.
Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta becomes the first President of the Republic of Kenya.
December 16
Kenya Navy is inaugurated in Mombasa.
January
The British Government has handed over the barracks to the new Republic as a gift; along with £50,000 to meet conversion costs, and Kahawa will become Kenyatta College.
January 27
“General Baimungi and Chui are killed by Police in forest around Mount Kenya.
January 29
OAU ad hoc Commission on the Congo chaired by President Kenyatta meets in Nairobi.
February 4
Kenya National Assurance Company is established.
February 9
President Jomo Kenyatta opens 7th session of UN Economic Commission in Africa in Nairobi.
February 17
President Jomo Kenyatta presents five Kenya Air Force pilots with their “wings”
February 24
Mr Pio Gama Pinto, a freedom fighter and a member of House of Representatives is shot dead in Nairobi.
March 5:
Seven Forks Hydro Electric Development Scheme at Kindaruma on River Tana is inaugurated.
March 24
Central Bank of Kenya is formed.
March 26
President Jomo Kenyatta is awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degree at Makerere College, Kampala.
March 30
Ministers James Gichuru and Bruce Mackenzie return with Sh.400m in loans from a round-the-world tour.
April 4
Kenya and Norway sign scientific and technical co-operation agreement.
April 27
Kenya announces Sessional Paper No 10, the blueprint for Kenya’s African Socialism.
May 1
E Airways signs Sh220m agreement with Britain for three Super VC aircrafts
July 7
Nairobi’s primary schools become multi-racials only three years after city council took direct control of primary education
July 14
Assessors find Kisilu Mutua and Chege Thuo, who have been charged with the murder of Mr Pio Gama Pinto, not guilty
July 15
Kisilu Mutua accused of murdering Mr Pio Gama Pinto is sentenced to death. His co-accused ,Chege Thuo is pronounced not guilty and freed from custody.
September 1
President jomo Kenyatta nullifies all existing trade unions and announces that the Governmen was to set up a Central Organisation of Trade Unions(COTU).
October 20
President Kenyatta announces free education for forms V and VI in high schools.
February 23
Minister for housing and social services, Paul Ngei is suspended from office over allegations of corruption at the maize board
March 10
100 MPs call on vice President Oginga Odinga, to resign.
March 11
MPS vote to abolish post of Deputy President of Kanu held by Kenya’s Vice-president, Oginga Odinga.
March 13
Mr Oginga Odinga is ousted as KANU’s Deputy President.
March 15
A splinter political party, the Kenya People’s Union (KPU) is formed.
April 8
Mr Ojuok Odinga, Vice-President Oginga Odinga’s brother, is arrested in Kisumu.
April 14
Mr Oginga Odinga resigns as Kenya’s Vice-President.
April 19
Nine senators and 18 members from the House of Representatives resign from KANU to form an Opposition group.
April 25
Information Minister Achieng Oneko resigns to join Mr. Oginga Odinga.
May 3
Foreign Affairs minister Joseph Murumbi is appointed Kenya’s Vice-President in a cabinet reshuffle replacing Mr. Oginga Odinga who had resigned.
May 23
Opposition party, Kenya people’s Union led by Mr. Oginga Odinga is formally registered.
July 27
Carey Francis, former principal of Alliance High School, and a pioneer Kenya educationist, collapses and dies at Pumwani Secondary School in Nairobi, aged 88.
August 4
Two well-known trade union bosses and four senior members of the Opposition Kenya People’s Union are arrested and detained under the new public security laws
September 14
Kenya’s first national currency is issued.
Central Bank of Kenya is opened.
November 2
Col .J. M. L. Ndolois named new Commander of Kenya Army replacing Brig. J.A. Hardy.
Lt. Col. J.K. Mulinge is appointed Deputy Army Commander.
December 22
Kenya’s Senate and the House of Representatives are merged.
January 5
Mr Daniel Toroitich arap Moi who retained the portfolio of Home Affairs, is appointed Kenya’s Vice-President replacing Mr. Joseph Murumbi who resigned.
February 15
Mr. Humprey Slade is elected speaker of Kenya’s new One-Chamber National Assembly.
April 5
Africanisation plan is announced by Commerce Minister Mwai Kibaki.
October 22
KPU President Oginga Odinga is shouted down by MPs in parliament.
December 1
The East African Community is formed.
1968
January 23
President Kenyatta is unanimously re-elected chairman of the KANU Parliamentary Group and Vice-President Daniel arap Moi as vice-chairman.
April 19
Kenya People’s Union deputy leader Bildad Kaggia is jailed for 12 months for holding an unlawful meeting in South Nyanza.
June 25
Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, on the election of the President is passed.
July 3
Solicitor-General of Kenya since 1964, Kitili Maluki Mwendwa is sworn in as first African Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya.
August 7
Tarmacked Nairobi- Mombasa road is opened
October 18
National Assembly rejects a motion tabled by Mr. J. K. Theuri to reduce powers of president and appoint a Prime minister.
December 12
President Kenyatta urges Kenyans to “go back to the land.’’
1969
January 1
Non –citizen traders mainly Asians are told that they must close or move their businesses under the new trade licensing Act to make way for African businesses.
January 29
C M G Argwings-Kodhek, Minister for foreign Affairs dies following a car accident in Nairobi.
March 28
Kenya school of Law is opened in Nairobi.
May 8
Brigadier-General J. M.L.Ndolo is promoted to the rank of Major-General and appointed first Kenyan chief of Defense Staff replacing Maj-Gen. R.B. Penfold.
July 5
Economic Planning Minister and Kanu secretary-general Tom Mboya is shot dead in Nairobi’s Government road.
August 1
Mr Bildad Kaggia resigns as Vice- President of KPU and rejoins Kanu.
August 21
Kenya’s National Assembly and Presidential Election Act make provision for Presidential elections and for the nomination of candidates of political parties by means of preliminary elections becomes law.
October 6
Marie John Seroney and JosephKimutai arap Mitei are found guilty of sedition following their publication of the Nandi Hills Declaration.
October 27
The Leader of the Opposition and President of the Kenya People’s Union, Mr. Oginga Odinga, who is also MP for Bondo constituency, and his party’s deputy leader, Mr. J. M. Nthula, MP for Iveti South, are placed under house arrest.
KPU publicity secretary, Mr. Achieng’ Oneko and the party’s six other Members are detained.
October 30
Opposition political party, Kenya People’s Union whose president Oginga Odinga is under house arrest is banned.
December 6
Mrs Grace Onyango is elected Kisumu Town MP during national elections becoming Kenya’s first woman MP.
1970
January 29
President Kenyatta is sworn in as president and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces for a second term of office.
May 22
Parliament rejects a motion calling for a one-party system in Kenya.
June 14
Mr Harry Thuku, founder of Kikuyu Central Association, political elder and freedom fighter dies aged 75.
August 4
Councillor Margaret Kenyatta becomes first African woman Mayor of Nairobi.
November 1
President Kenyatta orders the immediate release from detention of former KPU official Mr. J. D. Kali after meeting a delegation of Kamba leaders at his Gatunduhome.
1971
March 27
Mr Oginga Odinga is released from detention after 18 months.
June 23
Yatta MP Gideon Mutiso found guilty of conspiring to topple the republic’s government is jailed for nine and a half years.
July 7
Kitili Mwendwa resigns as Kenya’s Chief Justice.
July 14
Justice Sir James Wicks is appointed Kenya’s Chief Justice.
September 6
Idd-ul-Fitr becomes a national holiday in Kenya.
September 8
Mr Oginga Odinga former president of the defunct Opposition party, Kenya People’s Union(KPU) and a former Vice-President of Kenya, rejoins Kanu.
October 22
President Kenyatta signs hanging bill.
1972
May 23
Dennis Pritt, the British lawyer who defended President Kenyatta and other Kenyan politicians in the 1952 Kapenguria trial died.
October 2
Dr Louis Leakey, renowned anthropologist and archaeologist dies of heart attack in London.
December 25
Power and Communications Minister Ronald Ngala dies as a result of road accident.
September 8
Kenya seals its border with Uganda indefinitely in an attempt to stem an influx of Asians fleeing Uganda following Idi Amin’s directive.
1973
January 17
Kenya takes its seat on the United Nations Security Council for the first time.
March 2
Archbishop Maurice Otunga becomes Kenya’s first cardinal.
March 11
Lord Howick of Glendale formerly Sir Evelyn Baring who was Kenya’s Governor from 1952 to 1959 in which capacity he declared The Emergency and arrested Jomo Kenyatta dies.
September 11
President Kenyatta officially opens the government funded Kenyatta Conference Centre.
December 12
President Kenyatta announces free primary education from Standard 1 to 4.
1974
June 19
Mr Kungu Karumba,a veteran freedom fighter and a businessman is reported missing while on a business trip in Uganda.
July 4
Swahili is declared Kenya’s National Language.
President Jomo Kenyatta is made Kanu’s life President.
November 5
President Jomo Kenyatta is installed as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Kenya for a third term.
1975
March 1
A bomb blast at E A Road services bus terminus kills 27 people and injuring 35 people in racecourse road.
March 2
Nyandarua North MP Mr. Josiah Mwangi Kariuki goes missing.
March 11
Mutilated body of Mr. J.M. Kariuki is found in Ngong hills.
August 9
Mr Kariuki Karanja Njiiri who vacated his seat for president Kenyatta’s entry into Legislative council dies in a road accident near Juja.
October 10
Ex minister Achieng’ Oneko is released after six years of detention.
The year 1976
February 15
Uganda President Idi Amin claims large chunks of Kenya and Sudan.
February 19
President Kenyatta warns that Kenya can defend her borders at all costs.
February 24
Uganda President Idi Amin backs down and assures Kenya he did not want an inch of her soil.
June 3
Utalii College is opened.
July 4
Israel Commandos rescue Israel hostages from Entebbe Airport, stopping at Nairobi to refuel for return flight.
July 24
Uganda cuts off Kenya from the main power line in Jinja following refueling of Israel planes carrying freed hostages from Entebbe in Nairobi.
August 8
Kenya and Uganda sign a “memorandum of understanding”
October 6
Attorney-General Charles Njonjo puts an end to Gema led attempt to change the constitution so that the Vice President would not automatically succeed the President in the event of death, illness or insanity.
November 29
A train plunges into a swollen river near Mtito Andei leaving twenty four people dead and several others injured.
1977
February 4
Tanzania closes its border with Kenya.
March 22
Kanu disqualifies former Vice-President, Mr. Oginga Odinga, from contesting a national post in Kanu elections.
August 1
President Julius Nyerere orders the closure of the East African Community headquarters in Arusha.
October 14
Parliament passes the Kenya Constitution (Amendment) Bill that would enable Kenya establish a court of Appeal.
October 26
The Kenya Court of Appeal came into being with the swearing-in of two High Court Judges by President Kenyatta- Mr Justice Samuel William Wako Wambuzi and Mr. Justice Eric John Ewan Law.
November 8
The Kenya Court of Appeal, established after the break-up of the East Africa Court of Appeal, delivers its first judgment.
November 19
Licence permit for a Kikuyu play Ngahika Ndenda written by Prof. Ngugi waThiong’o, which had been showing at Karimithu Community Centre is cancelled by the DC’s Office, Kiambu.
1978
January 6
Kenyan author and Chairman of the Literature Department at the University of Nairobi Professor Ngugi waThiong’o is detained under the Public Security Act.
March 30
Captain Judy Angaine is killed in Nairobi in unclear circumstances.
May 24
Former Cabinet Minister Bruce Mackenzie and three other people die in a plane crash.
August 22
President Jomo Kenyatta dies in his sleep at state House, Mombasa.
Vice-President Daniel arap Moi is sworn in as President of Kenya.
August 31
President Jomo Kenyatta is buried in a state funeral in a special mausoleum at parliament buildings.
October 11
President Daniel Arap Moi names Mr. Mwai Kibaki as his Vice-President as he reshuffles the Cabinet.
October 14
President Moi is installed as the second President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Nairobi.
President Moi’s cabinet is sworn in.
October 18
Government road is renamed Moi Avenue as a tribute to Kenya’s second President, Mr. Daniel Arap Moi.
December 8
President Daniel arap Moi officially opens the £30 million Nairobi International Airport and renamed it Jomo Kenyatta Airport in honour of late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
December 12
President Daniel arap Moi frees all political detainees that included Ngugi waThiong’o, Marie Jean Seroney, Koigi Wamwere, Martin Shikuku and George Anyona,
1979
April 13
Lord Delamere,Thomas Pitt Hamilton Chomondely, fourth Baron, who came to Kenya in 1945 to assume control of Delamere Estate Ltd. and served as President of the Kenya National Farmers Union from 1960 to1963 dies at his home in Elementaita.
October 22
Kenya is declared free of small pox by a WHO international commission.
October 28
Peter Muigai Kenyatta, assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs dies in Nairobi.
December 12
President Daniel arap Moi is sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces of Kenya after being elected unopposed.
1980
January 4
Authoress Joy Adamson 69 is murdered at Shaba camp in Meru Game reserve.
April 18
Charles Njonjo retires as Attorney-General on reaching retirement age.
December 12
One year’s compulsory National service for all students prior to entering university is introduced.
December 31
Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi is bombed.
1981
April 10, 1981
Prof Wangari Mathai of Nairobi University is jailed for six months for contempt of court.
1982
March 23
Effie Owuor is sworn in as acting High court judge becoming Kenya’s first woman judge.
May 20
President Moi expels Oginga Odinga from Kanu for ‘misusing his freedom during his travels to several parts of the world’.
May 26
Kanu calls for a one-Party state.
May 28
Former deputy director of Intelligence Mwangi Stephen Muriithi who was arrested on May 22 is detained.
June 2
Former Kitutu East MP George Anyona who was arrested on May 30 has been detained under the preservation of public security Act, the High Court is told.
June 3
The Government publishes two bills, the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill 1982, and the election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 1982 seeking to make Kenya a One-Party State.
June 4
Nairobi Lawyer John Khaminwa is detained.
June 9
Kenya becomes a de jure one party state.
June 18
Detention of anti-Government persons will continue until disgruntled elements and unpatriotic people are rooted out of Kenya, President Moi says.
June 24
University lecturers Al Amin Moh’d Kassim Mazrui and David Mukaru-Ng’ang’a, are detained under the Public Security Regulations.
July 15
Two Kenyatta University lecturers Kamoji Kang’ aru Wachira and Edward Akong’o Oyugi are detained.
July 21
Eleven year old ‘sukuma wiki girl’ Jacquiline Kamonya, recited the poem “Sukuma wkiki Kipenzi” at State House, Nakuru. President Daniel arap Moi said he would pay the fees of the standard four pupil from Mukumu Girls’ Primary school for four years.
August 1
An attempted coup by Kenya Air force is crushed within hours.
August 10
Mr James Gichuru, minister of state in the Office of the President dies in Nairobi.
August 12
Nakuru North MP Koigi wa Wamwere and University lecturer Willy Mutunga are detained.
September 22
Mr Raila Odinga is charged with treason.
November 8
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice-President, is placed under house arrest
December 6
Marie John Seroney, former Tinderet MP, dies in Nairobi.
December 12
A fire rages through the Kenya Pipeline Company’s Storage tanks on Jogoo road leading to oil shortage in the country.
1983
January 6
Justice Mathew Guy Muli is sworn in Kenya’s Attorney General replacing Mr. Joseph Kamere.
February 18
The 8-4-4 system of education is introduced.
February 22
Pioneer Journalist Stephen Kikumu dies in Nairobi. He was first to interview president Jomo Kenyatta when he was released from detention.
June 2
Former Police commissioner Mr. Ben Gethi, arrested on August 21 following August 1 attempted coup, is released from custody.
July 7
Charles Njonjo is suspended from Kanu until the findings of the judicial inquiry are out.
July 18
Juma Boy, the MP for Kwale Central and COTU Secretary-General dies during a heart operation in London
August 29
President Daniel Arap Moi is re-elected unopposed as the MP for Baringo Central and President of Kenya.
October 12
President Daniel Arap Moi is installed as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Kenya for the third term following his re-election.
President Moi releases Jaramogi Oginga Odinga from house arrest and also releases Kenyatta University lecturer Al-Amin Mazrui and John Khaminwa, a Nairobi lawyer from detention.
1984
March 6
Ex-Chief of defense Staff Maj-Gen J. M. L.Ndolo dies in an accident.
March 19
KAF Snr Pvt Hezekiah Ochuka is sentenced to death for treason.
April 17
University lecturer Mr. Mukaru Ng’ang’a detained in 1982 is released from custody.
1985
July 15
Un Women’s Decade Conference starts in Nairobi
September 27
Kenya’s first African Chief justice and Ex-MP for Kitui, Mr. Maluki Kitili Mwendwa is killed in a car accident.
1986
October 17
Nyayo Bus Service is launched.
December 25
Nakuru lawyer Mirugi Kariuki is detained.
December 20
A prominent Nairobi advocats Silvanus Melea (S.M.) Otieno dies in Nairobi.
1987
March 11
Former Kisumu deputy Town clerk Dr. Adhu Awiti is jailed for being a member of Mwakenya.
April 23
Kasarani Sports Complex in Nairobi is handed over to Kenya by China.
June 1
Mrs Margaret Githinji is named kenya’s first woman permanent secretary.
August 1
The 4th All-Africa Games open in Nairobi.
1988
February 5
President Daniel Moi releases nine detainees namely Mr Raila Odinga, Mr Ngotho Kariuki, Mr George Katama Mkangi, Mr Patrick (Paddy) Ouma Onyango,Mr Israel Otieno Wasonga Agina,Mr Paul Ong’or Amina, Mr Jackson Waga Ngola, Mr Nicodemus Benedict Obiero and Mr Herbert Lusiola.
February 29
President Daniel Arap Moi begins his fourth term as President of Kenya after being nominated the only presidential candidate on February 27.
August 19
Four Acts go into operation-The Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Act which removes the security of tenure for judges and members of the Public Service Commission; The Local Authorities (Validation) Act; Local Authorities Services Charge Act(1988), and the Foreign Investments Protection (Amendment) Act.
September 13
The body of 28-year-old British tourist, Julie Ward is found partially eaten by wild animals in Kenya’s Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
1989
April 27
Parliament unanimously passes a vote of no confidence in the Vice-President and Minister for Home Affairs, Dr. Josephat Karanja.
June 1
President Moi gives amnesty to exiles who were willing to return to the country and releases from detention Mr. Raila Odinga, Mr Mukaru Ng’ang’a, Mr. Wanyiri Kihoro and Mr. Samuel Okumu Okwany.
September 13
The Office of the President advises the Anglican Bishop of Eldoret, the Rt Reverend Alexander Kipsang Muge,not to visit West Pokot for his own personal security.
October 10
Kenya marks the first Moi Day at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium.
1990
February 16
Minister for Foreign Affairs is Dr. Robert Ouko is found murdered near his Koru farm near Kisumu.
February 27
President Moi launches first Kenyan made cars: Nyayo pioneer 1, 2 and 3 and announces plans for their mass production.
May 3
Two former ministers, Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, call for the end of single party system
June 22
Ex-Vice-President Mr. Joseph Murumbi dies at his home aged 79.
July 5
Former Cabinet Ministers Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, who have been championing the call for political reform in Kenya are detained.
Mr Raila Amolo Odinga and Nairobi lawyer, Dr John Khaminwa, and five associates of Mr. Matiba are arrested.
July 7
A meeting for multi-party advocates at Kamukunji grounds flops sparking off riots across Nairobi streets and estates-the Saba Saba riots which left over 20 people dead.
July 13
African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela pays tribute to the founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Dedan Kimathi and ‘General China’, for their role in liberating Kenya and inspiring him and other South African nationalists.
August 14
Bishop Alexander Kipsang’ Arap Muge dies in a road accident.
October 22
Kenya breaks diplomatic relations with Norway, alleging that Oslo engaged in illegal activities to destabilise the Government.
December 3
President Moi abolishes the queue-voting system for KANU grassroot elections.
1991
April 12
Former Cabinet minister Charles Rubia is released after 251 days in detention for his agitation for the restoration of multi-party rule.
July 11
Former Kitutu Masaba MP George Anyona, former Air Force officer Augustine Njeru Kathangu, and university dons Isaiah Ngotho Kariuki and Edward Oyugi are sentenced to seven years in jail for holding a seditious meeting in Nairobi.
August 2
Former Vice President Oginga Odinga , former Mp Martin Shikuku and former minister Mr. Masinde Muliro launch Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) party.
December 10
Mr Nicholas Biwott and Mr. Hezekiah Oyugi, held in custody for 14 days over the murder of Foreign minister Robber Ouko, are released for lack of evidence while Nakuru district commissioner Jonah Anguka is charged with the murder.
December 17
Multi-party system is introduced following the repeal of section 2A of the constitution that opened the way for registration of opposition parties and ended decades of single-party rule in Kenya.
December 31
The Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (Ford) is registered as a political party.
1992
January 17
Democratic party of Kenya that was launched by Mr. Mwai Kibaki who had resigned from the cabinet is registered.
February 28
Mothers of political prisoners start a hunger strike in Nairobi’s Uhuru park demanding the release of their sons.
May 2
Mr Kenneth Matiba returns to Kenya after an 11-month stay in London for Medical treatment.
August 8
Former PS in president’s office Hezekiah Oyugi dies in London.
August 14
Former Minister Masinde Muliro dies at Jomo Kenyatta Airport on arrival from London.
October 9
Kenya National Congress party is registered.
October 12
George Anyona launches Kenya Social Congress party.
FORD Kenya is registered by Oginga Odinga.
FORD Asili is registered by Kenneth Matiba.
December 7
A bus plunges into a river on the Machakos-Kitui road killing over 106 passengers
December 29
Kenyans turn out in large numbers for the country’s first multi-party General Election in two decades, contested by eight presidential candidates, including the incumbent, Mr Daniel arap Moi.
December
Many people injured and others killed in tribal clashes in the Rift Valley
1993
January 4
President Daniel arap Moi is sworn in as Kenya’s President for a fourth term having won in the 1st multi-party elections
January 30
A passenger train, travelling from Mombasa to Nairobi, plunges into the swollen Ngai Ndeithya River in Machakos District killing many people.
April 14
Official Opposition leader and Ford- Asili chairman, Kenneth Matiba, occupy the offices of the Official Opposition in Parliament Buildings
July 12
Angry mob kills Journalists Hos Maina, Antony Macharia, Dan Eldon and Hansi Kraus in Somalia after UN helicopters blasted targets in southern Mogadishu.
November 18
Mr Justice Fida Hussein Abdullah presiding judge at Ouko murder dies.
December 1
Kikuyu MP, Paul Muite, seeks to impeach President Daniel arap Moi.
1994
January 20
FORD-K Chairman, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, dies of cardiac arrest in hospital in Kisumu.
February 28
Former Vice-President,Josephat Karanja, dies in Nairobi.
March 19
Mr James Orengo becomes FORD-K’s first national Vice-Chairman.
March 22
FORD-K Chairman,WamalwaKijana, becomes Leader of Official Opposition.
March 25
Kenya restores diplomatic relations with Norway. The diplomatic relations between the two countries had been suspended since 1990.
April 29
A ferry disaster at Mtongwe near Kilindini harbor kills 270 passengers.
May 31
Former speaker of Parliament, Fredrick Mati, dies in Nairobi.
1995
June 8
Mr Eliphaz Riungu and Mr Michael Wanjihia Onesmus, two former senior officers of the Central Bank of Kenya are charged in a Nairobi court in connection with the Goldenberg deals.
August 21
The ruling party, Kanu, rejects calls for a national convention or any other forum outside Parliament to review the constitution.
October 23
The director of the African Regional Centre for Computing, Dr Shem Ochuodho, announces that Kenya has joined the global information superhighway (Internet), becoming the 12th African country to do so.
December 31
President Moi pledges in his New Year message to invite constitutional lawyers and experts from the West to collate Kenyans’ views on constitutional reforms.
1996
October 21
The UN General Assembly votes for Kenya to take up a non-permanent Security Council seat for the first time in more than 20 years.
December 30
Mrs Claire A. Omollo becomes Kenya’s first woman District Commissioner.
December 31
Lang’ata MP, Raila Odinga resigns and defects from Ford Kenya to the little known National Development Party.
1997
November 19
The government drops all charges against former Nakuru North MP Koigi wa Wamwere and his colleagues.
December 9
Mr Amos Kandie becomes the first person to oppose President Moi in a parliamentary election since he joined politics in 1955.
December 29
Kenyans go to the polls to elect their presidential, parliamentary and civic representatives after a controversial and violent election build up.
December 30
President Moi, who is the Kanu candidate, accuses the Electoral Commission of trying to rig the elections in favour of the Opposition.
1998
January 2
Democratic Party of Kenya chairman, Mwai Kibaki, and his National Development Party counterpart, Raila Odinga, reject the provisional results of the General Election and demand a repeat.
January 5
President Daniel Moi who won in widely criticised elections is sworn in as President and Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Kenya for a final term.
August 7
A Bomb explodes at US Embassy in Nairobi killing 224 people and injuring many.
1999
August 3
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Devil Worship in Kenya report reveals that devil worship is widespread in Kenya.
August 11
Kenya signs the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which supports prosecution of those who commit grave crimes.
2000
January 1
Kenyans mark the arrival of the new millennium in a manner only reminiscent of the December 12, 1963, independence celebrations.
January 31
A Kenya Airways flight, KQ 431, with 179 people aboard, crashes off the Coast of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and killing 169 people
June 18
The Safina Party and two political lobby groups launch a campaign for the release of Kisilu Mutua, the man convicted for Pio Gama Pinto’s murder in 1965.
October 23
Kenya wins the World Junior Athletics Championship for the first time in history.
November 10
Law professor Yash Pal Ghai is appointed chairman of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission
December 8
President Moi bans all Mageuzi (Movement for Change) rallies.
2001
June 16
Gichugu MP Martha Karua walks out of a meeting in Kirinyaga District as President Moi rises to speak.
November 19
President Moi orders the establishment of a health insurance scheme for all Kenyans.
October 10
President Moi announces that Moi Day would not be marked in future by parades and festivities.
December 10
John Harun Mwau forms a squad, Jeshi la King’ole, to counter political aggression in Ukambani.
2002
July 19
The British Government agrees to pay compensation for Kenyans killed or injured by ammunition left behind by its army in Samburu. The kenyans were represented by London company Leigh Day and Company.
August 9
Githunguri MP Njehu Gatabaki is sentenced to six months in jail over a story published linking President Moi with tribal clashes
September 26
The High Court issues an order stopping public debate on the judicial reforms proposed in the Constitutional review report.
September 27
Kenya’s constitution review commission led by chairman Prof Yash Pal Ghai releases the 280-pageConstitution of Kenya Draft Bill(2002) despite a High Court order blocking reforms in the Judiciary until a case filed against the review team is decided.
November 27
Three children of Archbishop Stephen Ondiek die in a road accident.
November 28
A bomb blast blows up paradise Hotel in Kikambala on the North Coast.
December 4
Presidential contender Mwai Kibaki is flown to London for specialised treatment.
December 9
President Moi returns from an eight-day visit to the US with a promise that he will make the opposition tremble as opinion polls list National Rainbow Coalition presidential candidate, Mwai Kibaki leading.
December 29
Opposition presidential candidate Mwai Kibaki is elected president in a landslide victory ending Daniel Arap Moi’s 24-year rule and Kanu’s four decades in power.
December 30
Mr Mwai Kibaki takes the oath of office to become Kenya’s third President.
2003
January 24
Cabinet minister Ahmed Khalif is killed while Martha Karua, Raphael Tuju, George Khaniri, Martha Koome and Robinson Githae are injured during an air crash at the Busia airstrip.
June 18
President Kibaki gives up the Chancellor’s position in all public universities.
August 23
Kenya’s Vice president Michael Kijana Wamalwa dies while undergoing treatment at the Royal Free hospital in London.
December 9
A Sh40 coin with President Kibaki’s portrait goes into circulation to mark the 40th independence.
December 30
President Kibaki skips a much-publicised visit to Coast General Hospital amid reports that there was disquiet at State House, Mombasa.
2004
October 8
Professor Wangari Maathai is announced winner of the Nobel Peace prize by the Nobel Peace Institute in Oslo, Norway, in recognition of her efforts in environmental management and the fight for democracy in Kenya thus becoming the first woman from Africa to win the prize and also the first Kenyan ever to become a Nobel laureate.
August 15
Veteran politician, freedom fighter and former long-serving Cabinet minister Paul Ngei dies at the age of 81
2005
March 12
The house in which Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta lived in London 72 years ago, is declared a protected English Heritage Monument.
August 23
Kenya’s proposed Constitution is unveiled at a ceremony in Nairobi
November 21
Kenyans hold a national Referendum and reject a draft constitution.
November 27
The government rules out early polls and bans all political rallies planned by the Orange Democratic Movement, declaring the meetings a threat to national security.
2006
March 2
Police raid the offices and presses of the standard Group one of the Kenya’s leading Media companies and shut down KTN and burn copies of the standard at mid night
April 10
A plane crash in Marsabit kills 14 people who included Mirugi Kariuki, Titus Ngoyoni, Dr Bonaya Godana, Guracha Galgalo and Abdi Sasura, Abdullahi Adan and Bishop William Waqo,
July 14
The Sexual Offences Bill that prescribes stiffer penalties for sexual offences receives President Kibaki’s nod, and he signs it into an Act of Parliament
August 6
Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga calls for minimum constitutional changes before the General Election.
August 26
United States Senator Barack Obama visits his father’s ancestral home in Kogelo, Siaya, and is given a welcome fit for a king.
November 27
Kanu delegates formally endorse a decision by its national officials to join ODM-Kenya and field a joint presidential candidate in the General Election
December 7
Parliament increases President Kibaki’s pay package to Sh3.2 million a month from Sh1.9 million, meaning that he will earn more than leaders of the world’s richest nations
December 11
The Kenya Government lays a foundation stone for a statue of Dedan Kimathi.
December 21
Seventeen veterans of the Lancaster House Conference, which gave birth to the constitution, are awarded the Freedom of the City of Nairobi honours at City Hall.
December 28
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta is reinstated as the Kanu national chairman.
2007
June 5
The East African Legislative Assembly is formally inaugurated with the swearing in of 27 MPs, nine each from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
June 9
Mr Achieng’ Oneko, the last of the six freedom fighters detained at Kapenguria during the fight for independence, dies aged 87
December 29
Delays in the release of Kenya’s presidential elections results spark angry riots
December 30
Electoral Commission of Kenya chairman Samuel Kivuitu declared President Kibaki duly elected
President Kibaki is sworn in at state house in to a second and final term as Head of State as riots and protests erupted in parts of the country over the disputed presidential results.
The ODM leadership declared Mr. Raila Odinga the president-elect and announced that they would form a parallel government.
2008
February 28
President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga sign a historic agreement to form grand Coalition government, share power and create the post of prime minister and two deputies in Nairobi in the presence of Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and Chief mediator Kofi Annan ending Kenya’s post-election political crisis.
March 18
Parliament passes the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the National Accord and Reconciliation Bill creating the post of Prime Minister and his two deputies.
April 17
Kenya’s Grand Coalition cabinet is sworn in.
Hon Raila Odinga is sworn-in as Prime Minister becoming independent Kenya’s second Prime Minister after Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
June 10
Flags to fly at half-mast after Minister Kipkalya Kones, assistant minister Lorna Laboso, a bodyguard and pilot die in a plane crash.
December 24
The Electoral Commission of Kenya tells a court that if the basis of sending them home is the Kriegler Report that condemned last year’s General Election, then they want all the 210 MPs also sent home, further asking the court to declare that the person declared President of Kenya, namely Mwai Kibaki, ceases being legitimate head of state.
2009
March 24
The Party of National Unity files the National Accord, a key instrument of the coalition, with the Registrar of Political Parties to formalise the status of partners in the coalition and effectively blocking ODM from seeking fresh negotiations.
2010
August 27
Kenya formally adopted a new constitution at an elaborate promulgation ceremony in Nairobi.
2013
April 9
President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta is sworn in as Kenya’s fourth president in Nairobi.
Compiled by Maria Kanini Wambua,
Nation Media Group Library.
References.
1. Daily Nation
2. KENYA 95-96 Factbook.:Uhuru 32.Newspread International, [1996]
3. Kenya Historical Events 1963-2003.Nation Media Group, 2003
4. Cuttings from The Times 1952-1966.University Microfilms Limited.