How the University of Nairobi came into being

Half a century can be quite a long time. Indeed, a lot has happened in Kenya for the last 50 years although some of the developments may sound like fairy tales.

While they reigned over an empire where the sun never set, the British colonialists loathed the idea of educating Africans because they believed that they would start agitating for political change and a right for self-determination.

Governor of Kenya and Chairman of East African High Commission Sir Philip Mitchell (C) after laying the foundation stone at the royal college in April 1952. [Courtesy]

Sometimes in April 1952, if Sir Philip Mitchel, Governor of Kenya, knew what was about to happen in the country when he laid the foundation stone for The Royal College, he would have cancelled these plans.