Jomo Kenyatta, also known as Kamau Ngengi, was a Kenyan statesman and nationalist. He was also prime minister and first president of Kenya. He played an important role in the development of African nationalism in East Africa. Jomo Kenyatta was born on October 20, 1891 in Gatundu, Kenya. He died on August 22, 1978 in Mombasa, Kenya. Jomo Kenyatta was born as Kamau Ngengi. He was the son of Moigoi and Wamboi. His father was the leader of a small agricultural settlement. At the age of ten, Kamau fell ill with a severe jigger infection in his feet and one leg. He was taken to the Church of Scotland mission and underwent successful surgery. This was his first contact with Europeans and he was determined to join the missionary school. He ran away from home to become a mission student. There he studied the Bible, English, mathematics and carpentry. Kamau managed to pay his tuition by working as a domestic servant and cooking for a European settler. He married his wife, Grace Wahu, in 1919 and his first child was born on 20 November 1920. He later found work in the Department of Public Works, where he took the name Jomo Kenyatta. The name comes from a beaded work belt he wore called "mucibi wa kinyata". Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Kenyatta joined the EAA, East African Association, in 1922 run by Harry Thuku. It was the first African political protest movement in Kenya against a government dominated by white settlers. Three years later, Kenyatta became the organization's secretary general. In May 1928, Kenyatta launched a monthly Kikuyu-language newspaper called Mwigithania (he who brings together), hoping to bring together all sections of the Kikuyu. In March 1930, Kenyatta wrote a letter in the Times of London addressing five issues: security of land tenure and land restitution, increased educational facilities, repeal of hut taxes on women, African representation in the Legislative Council and non-interference with traditional customs. Kenyatta briefly joined the Communist Party in the 1930s and met other black nationalists and writers. Together they organized protests against the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. He continued to promote and publicize the Kikuyu case. Kenyatta helped organize the fifth Pan-African Congress (meeting in Manchester, England). Resolutions were passed and plans discussed to seek independence from colonial rule. In 1946, Kenyatta returned to Kenya to lead the newly formed Kenya African Union, of which he was elected president a year later. He organized a mass nationalist party. In 1952, the Mau Mau Rebellion broke out as a force against the presence of European settlers in Kenya and their landowners. On charges of leading the movement, Kenyatta was arrested. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for "management of the terrorist organization Mau Mau". He denied the accusation saying that the activities of the Kenya African Union were not linked to the violence of the Mau Mau organisation. He was released in August 1961. At the 1962 London Conference, Kenyatta negotiated terms relating to Kenya's independence. Kenya celebrated its independence on 12 December 1963 and Kenyatta was prime minister. When Kenya became a one-party republic, Kenyatta became Kenya's first president with a new constitutional amendment. He fought for a strong central government and appointed members of different ethnicities. Kenyatta symbolized his slogan “Harambee” and “Pulling Together”. Kenya's gross national product and economic growth grew as a result of Kenyatta's policies. One disadvantage of the big one.