Kenya - Senator Obama's Heritage.

Fossils found in East Africa suggest that primates roamed the area more than 20 million years ago. Homo habilis and Homo erectus are direct ancestors of modern Homo sapiens and lived in Kenya.

Cushitic-speaking people moved into the area that is now Kenya beginning around 2000 BC. Arab traders began frequenting the Kenya coast around the 1st century AD. Then Nilotic and Bantu-speaking peoples moved into the region.

In the 1700s, the Arab traders began to trap the Swahili-speaking natives of the West Coast of Africa and selling them to Colonists as slaves destined for America.

In May 1953, the Mau Mau rose up against British rule. General Sir George Erskine was appointed commander-in-chief of the colony's armed forces, with the personal backing of Winston Churchill. Operation Anvil effectively placed Nairobi under military siege, and the Mau Mau supporters were moved to detention camps.

By the end of the emergency the Home Guard had killed 4,686 Mau Mau, amounting to 42% of the total insurgents. The capture of Dedan Kimathi on October 21, 1956, in Nyeri signified the ultimate defeat of the Mau Mau and essentially ended the Mau Mau rebellion.

In 1964, Kenyatta became Kenya's first president. At Kenyatta's death in 1978, Daniel arap Moi became President. Daniel arap Moi retained the Presidency, being unopposed in elections held in 1979, 1983 (snap elections) and 1988, all of which were held under the single party constitution.

In 1992, in a democratic election, Daniel arap Moi won, and in 1997 he won re-election again. In 2002, Moi was constitutionally barred from running, and Mwai Kǐbakǐ, running for the opposition coalition "National Rainbow Coalition" was elected President. The elections, judged free and fair by local and international observers, marked a turning point in Kenya's democratic evolution.

In Music, Kenya is home to a diverse range of styles, ranging from imported popular music, afro-fusion and benga music to traditional folk songs. The guitar is the most popular instrument in Kenyan music, and songs often feature intricate guitar rhythms. The most famous guitarist of the early 20th century was Fundi Konde. Other notable musicians of the 60s era include Fadhili Williams (recognised by many as the author of the hit song "Malaika" that was later re-done by Miriam Makeba, Boney M and Daudi Kabaka).

In Sports, Kenyan marathon runners and soccer teams have distinguished themselves for many years now.

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