Kamau kenyatta biography for kids

Jomo Kenyatta was a Kenyan anti-colonial activist and politician who governed Kenya as its Prime Minister from to and then as its first President from to his death in Kamau's father died when he was a small child, and in keeping with local custom, his mother then married his father's brother, Negengi, at which point Kamau took the name wa Ngengi.

Kamau was raised according to traditional Kikuyu custom and belief, and was taught the skills needed to herd the family flock.

Jomo kenyatta education

When Kamau's mother died a short time later, Kamau travelled to her village to claim his brother, then moved with him to the village of his paternal grandfather, Kongo wa Magana, whom he assisted in his role as a traditional healer or medicine man. There, he learned stories from the Bible and was taught to read and write in English. He also performed chores for the mission, including washing the dishes and weeding the gardens.

He was soon joined at the mission dormitory by his brother Kongo. In July , Kamau became an apprentice to the mission's carpenter. That same year, he professed his dedication to Christianity and began undergoing catechism. In , he underwent the Kikuyu circumcision ritual, despite the missionaries' generally disapproved of the custom, but it was an important aspect of Kikuyu tradition which allowed Kamau to be recognized as an adult.

When asked to take a Christian name for his upcoming baptism, Kamau initially chose both John and Peter after Jesus' apostles.