5) Kenya's First Contact with Other Nations

Outside nations and cultures had an influence in Kenya from a very early period. Interaction between the people of Kenya and other cultures is thought to have taken place as early as the 1st century AD. (1) During this time, many people living on the coast of Kenya worked as farmers or river fishers, using fishing in the ocean and trading with foreigners as merely a supplementary income. (2) Because of Kenya's close vicinity to the Arabian Peninsula, Kenya's first contact with non-African people was most likely with Arabs and almost certainly for the purpose of trading. (3) Over the next centuries, trade with Arab nations became a huge part of the coastal Kenyan economy. The Arabs had much more influence in Kenya during the 9th century when they came to form coastal trading cities such as Mombasa. (4) Through this Arabic influence, Islam became a common religion, especially along the coast. (5)

Location of Mombasa
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mombasa_County_location_map.png

Kenyan interaction with European nations did not occur until much later. The Portuguese first came to Kenya in 1498 under the leadership of Vasco de Gama. (6) The Portuguese reached out to Kenya and other African nations in an attempt to spread their Christian faith to nations inhabited by Muslims. (6) De Gama also knew that Mombasa was a key city of trade. (6) Through manipulation of the government, the Portuguese gained control of Mombasa and turned it into Portugal's main trading center, much to the Arabs chagrin. (7) The Portuguese eventually lost control of Mombasa to the Omani Arabs in the late 17th century. (8)

Vasco de Gama
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vasco_da_Gama_por_Jo%C3%A3o_Cardini.jpg

Fort Jesus built as a trading hub by the Portuguese in Mombasa, Kenya
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Fort_Jesus_Mombasa,_Kenya.JPG

During the 1800s, more European nations were trying to influence Kenya and other African countries. Germany and Great Britain fought for control and expansion of African territories in the late 1800s and Kenya eventually came under British control in 1888 as part of British East Africa. (9)

Map of Kenya as British East Africa
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Africa_1909_16a.png

Throughout the years of foreign influence, Kenya has been impacted both positively and negatively as a result of this interaction. Trade with different people such as the Arabs or the Portuguese has helped to stimulate the economy, especially in coastal cities. (10) However, the frequent conflict between these two people groups over who would control these coastal cities, and ultimately trade, was to the detriment of the Kenyan people as the fighting usually took place on Kenyan land. In addition, slave trading was typical with both the Arabs and the Portuguese and some slaves were subjected to harsh treatment. (11) It is difficult to know how many slaves who were bought and sold from places like Mombasa were actually people of Kenya, but regardless, slave trading did have an impact on Kenya. The British virtually brought an end to slavery in Kenya when they gained control. (12) However, the Kenyan people were not treated fairly or equally under British rule and would eventually rebel, ultimately leading to Kenyan independence. (13)


(1)"History of Mombasa", History Pre-Independence, http://www.mombasainfo.com/about-mombasa/history-culture/history-of-mombasa/, ¶ 2.
(2) The Swahili Coast", http://www.pbs.org/wonders/fr_e2.htm, ¶ 2.
(3) "A Brief History on Kenya", Pre-Colonial History, http://www.kenyarep-jp.com/kenya/history_e.html, ¶ 1.
(4) "Kenya", History: Swahili Culture and Trade (1st century-19th century), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya#Swahili_culture_and_trade_.281st_century.E2.80.9319th_century.29, ¶ 2.
(5) "Islam in Kenya", Historical Overview: Islamic Arrival on the Swahili Coast, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Kenya#Islamic_arrival_on_the_Swahili_Coast, ¶ 3.
(6) "History of Mombasa", History Pre-Independence, http://www.mombasainfo.com/about-mombasa/history-culture/history-of-mombasa/, ¶ 3.
(7)  "History of Mombasa", History Pre-Independence, http://www.mombasainfo.com/about-mombasa/history-culture/history-of-mombasa/, ¶ 3 and 4.
(8)  "History of Mombasa", History Pre-Independence, http://www.mombasainfo.com/about-mombasa/history-culture/history-of-mombasa/, ¶ 5.
(9) "A Brief History on Kenya", Colonial History, http://www.kenyarep-jp.com/kenya/history_e.html, ¶ 1.
(10) "The Swahili Coast", http://www.pbs.org/wonders/fr_e2.htm.
(11) "History of Mombasa", History Pre-Independence, http://www.mombasainfo.com/about-mombasa/history-culture/history-of-mombasa/, ¶ 4.
(12) "The Swahili Coast", http://www.pbs.org/wonders/fr_e2.htm, ¶ 5.
(13) "A Brief History on Kenya", http://www.kenyarep-jp.com/kenya/history_e.html, ¶ 3, 4, & 5.