Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee

Book excerpt: This series of biographies of some of the key-players in Kenya's modern history describes their individual roles and importance in historical context; and illustrates widely, and to a general readership, their contributions to the historical process, which may be little known outside Kenya. Alibhai Mulla Jeevanjee was born in Pakistan in 1856, and went to East Africa in 1890. He was a pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist in Kenya, building the Jeevanje Gardens, and most of Nairobi when the city was a sprawling township. He provided many services to the Colonial Government; but grew to challenge the settler regime in search for greater equity and equality of opportunity, for Indians and eventually all Kenyans. He developed the East Africa Indian National Congress, and so laid the foundations for an organised anti-colonial movement.