The Luo who are the subject of this essay settled in the Western part of Kenya somewhere around 1400-1500 C.E. The Luo are about 4 million in population, and make up a large portion of the western Kenyan population today. This leads us to an important question – how were the Luo so successful in migrating,... Read more »
The early missionaries who were moving into Kenya were very interested in setting up schools for local Africans to start learning about the western world so they could become part of the society the missionaries came from. In 1906 missionaries from England, specifically Rev. James Jamieson (J. J.) Willis, pitched a tent for a missionary... Read more »
The day that the Nyanza Provincial Hospital, now known as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (or simply as Russia Hospital), opened its door to the public in October 1969 was meant to be a joyous occasion. It was supposed to be a day of pomp and circumstance marking the introduction of much-needed medical... Read more »
Born in 1911, Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga was a member of the Luo community whose drive, vision, selflessness, and commitment strongly influenced the trajectory of Kenya’s history. Born under British colonial rule, Odinga was inspired to lead the fight against the oppressive colonial system, and had an indelible influence on the Kenyan independence movement. He... Read more »
Customers today venture into a small, non-descript printing shop on Accra Street in downtown Kisumu thinking of little besides the business cards and letterheads they hope to purchase. Most would be surprised to learn that Ramogi Press has an illustrious history and played a large role in the tumultuous politics of Kenyan independence. The brainchild... Read more »
Many political parties were formed in Africa during the colonial period. The Kenya African National Union [KANU] was one such party. The other was the African National Congress in South Africa. KANU was one of the strongest and most organized political parties in Kenya. Among some of its most important bases, where it enjoyed an... Read more »