I have been reading about Asian Voice's plan to print a magazine on the Kenyan Asians. I have had friends who are Punjabi and come from Kenya. Some of them could even speak Gujarati! In a tv interview years back, I had seen Lord Suri interacting in Gujarati. It is remarkable to think of their journey.
Significant Indian migration to modern day Kenya began following the creation of the East Africa Protectorate in 1895. The Protectorate took over the assets and personnel of the Imperial British East Africa Company and hence its Indian orientation. The rupee was instituted as the currency of the Protectorate and the legal system became an extension of Indian law.
Initially, British officials envisioned developing Kenya as the "America of the Hindu", considering Indians as sub-imperialist agents of civilisation in the region. Among the local Indian ethnic populace, the vast majority of administrative roles were filled by Konkanis, Gujaratis, Goans, whilst the ranks of the British officered police and army mainly consisted of Punjabis.
Over the following years large numbers of Gujaratis and Punjabis migrated freely seeking to utilise new economic possibilities in the Protectorate. These migrants often came with family members or members of the same village or caste.
Asian settlers were soon joined by European farmers. In 1900 the Mombasa Indian Association was established on the initiative of L.M Savle. In 1914 the East African National Congress was established in Mombasa and was modelled on the Indian National Congress. I will submit more for the upcoming magazine.
Ranjit Chopra
Hounslow
