Kenya Through Indian Eyes: A Conversation with Rajvir Soin

[@OneBostonJournal]

This is the first video I've seen by you (new subscriber). It's very interesting for me on many levels. First, I'm from Kenya and live in America. Second, I have just started my own KZbin channel. But it's in the very early stages so I'm just trying out things and have a lot to learn. I'm very fascinated by KZbin. I could relate to so many things you and Rajvir discussed. For example, sometimes I spend a lot of hours trying to overcome an editing problem. But I really don't mind it because I'm working for myself! At this stage it's just a hobby. Also, I just did a short interview on a new Gujurati immigrant in my neighborhood. It was very short because I'm still learning the ropes, so to speak. Finally, thanks for introducing me to Rajvir. But I've spent most of my life in America (I left when I was young). I'm glad that you seem to be having a good time in Kenya. It's a cool place! By the way, are you familiar with Priya Sharma? She's Indian and has travelled to Kenya and done interesting vlogs. Anyway, I have to watch your other videos (and the ones by Rajvir). Just wanted to say hi and congratulations on a good video job.

[@AsherYeshurun]

I want to see all kenyans embrace their identities and nationalism in equal measure in a free spirited sort of way. Be proud of being kenyan no matter the colour of your skin.We were all born in Kenya for a reason. No feigning, no hating but born free !

[@gunnarronning]

Best thing you can do as a Kenyan indian is to work on creating industry in Kenya to compete with imports. Create genuine value for Kenyans and people around the world.

[@AsherYeshurun]

As a Kenyan who used to live in india , it is great to participate in this interview or tete a tete . We do have a lot in common for sure. We need more understanding of each others' culture worldwide.

[@tomatosoup6440]

2:48 " *_born and brought up in Nairobi, I'm Kenyan citizen, Indian living in Kenya_* " Wow! I can't believe he said he's -Indian living in Kenya- despite having been BORN and RAISED here, complete with citizenship documents. The impression I get is that he's an Indian who just happen to have been born in Kenya, and that's fine. But it leaves me feeling like....maybe the Kenyan government made a huge mistake recognizing Indians as a tribe in Kenya.

[@martino6205]

@@tomatosoup6440 you sound not very smart

[@tomatosoup6440]

@@martino6205 I didn't say I sounded "very smart". That's not even the topic here.

[@Pheonix-o9n]

It was a mistake

[@Be-Rean]

Am a maasai living in kenya, i could also say am a maasai living in tz. Its ok to mention your tribe since indian is an official tribe in kenya.

[@tomatosoup6440]

@@Be-Rean Listen, there is a huge difference between *_nationality_* and *_tribe/ethnic group_* when talking about Indians and your Maasai people. Indian is a nationality, *NOT* a tribe. That's why there is a country called India. As for you, there is no country called "Maasai." But you are a tribe/ethnic group in country called Kenya or Tanzania, therefore your nationality is _Kenyan_ or _Tanzanian_ depending on where you were born. Also, stop thinking that Indians are one big ethnic group just because they look similar. It's like thinking all Kenyans are a single ethnic group just because we share some African features. The Indians you see in Kenya -- while they look similar -- are just as ethnically diverse as their cousins in India. There are Gujarati people among them, the Punjabis, the Goans, the Bengalis, the Bhojpuri, etc, just as we Kenyans have Kikuyus, Kalenjins, Maasais, Luos, Luhyas and so on. So if you must compare your Maasai tribe to anyone, then do so to one of these Indian ethnic groups i've mentioned above. *Do not* compare _Maasai_ *_tribe_* to _Indian_ *_nationality_* . Your reply above repeated the same mistake your president made when he classified Indians as a tribe in Kenya in 2017. Imagine Donald Trump classifying all Kenyans in America in one big tribe called "Kenyan" even though we consist of so many little tribes, your Maasai included. That's exactly what your president did with Indians. _Now get this_ : *Indians are Kenyans, but they should be classified as a RACIAL GROUP (Asian, probably), not a tribe*

[@tedgikonyo]

Never Forget!! I could name a whole line..of ASIAN.. kenyan heroes ..who fought and some died for the freedom of this country....and we should never forget their sacrifice...ie....Pio Gama pinto, Ambulal patel, Makhan Singh Jabaal Jevanjee, Desai... Fitz DE SOUZA.. And many more.. Kenyan heroes...UNFORGETABLE!!!

[@trvkim9435]

Very good interview. I'd like to hear his perspective of India

[@gunnarronning]

Good to hear perspectives. I consider Kenya my home away from home. Been there countless times. But about the national park discussion. I have seen elephants on jkia going into town less than 20 years back. So wildlife is amazing and everywhere.

[@martino6205]

The railway only increased the Indian population, but wasnt the start of migration. Indian had always lived on the east African coast. Vasco da Gama's pilot from Malindi to India was an Indian from Malindi. Mombasa had many Indian traders before the railway. The railway only increased movement of Indians into the interior.

[@tomatosoup6440]

I can't verify your claim but it's just a fact that *MOST* of the Indians in the region came with the British, and that was way long after Vasco Da Gama. You're talking about less than 10% of them (if your claim is correct at all), which is insignificant.

[@rang3688]

You’re 💯 correct. Indian subcontinent and East Africa interactions can be traced way back to at least the 1st century CE. There many ancient texts such as the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (circa 1st century CE), and archeological evidence that proves that. The interaction was mutual. However, the interaction was limited to the East African coast than hinterlands. This was even way before any European arrival in East Africa or India through East African routes.

[@NomadGurkha]

this guy is not indian but kenyan since birth

[@somanathrout8893]

You can say origin and his looks like Indian 😅

[@Yourunclestoenail]

No he's not... he's still Indian

[@YUSUFSAIDMUHIDINGATIBARU-d2m]

Exactly his Kenyan regardless . Kenya is literally full of many other mixed race ethnicities who are Kenyan as they were born and brought up in Kenya regardless of all the scenarios they will be Kenyan.

[@Jay-Kay-Buwembo]

Can he speak Kiswahili? Gikuyu? Luo etc?

[@joeonkeo9663]

I see him that way too. I mean he can say he is a Sikh but not Indian

[@mapledaleguy]

Totally enjoyed this video.

[@ExtendedFamily]

Thank you for watching!

[@lugaritzbrown2250]

Kenyan contemporary food is very Indian influenced.East Africa is very close to India and historically we've had so much contact ....archeological evidence shows that the people who lived in the Swahili city states were as much as 20 percent indian genetically

[@Wasengenyie]

I read that Indians came in the 19th century. Shirazis came around the 8th century. Arabs came in the 18th century. The Portuguese 16th century and they are credited for ending the swahili civilization. The swahili of today are too arabized

[@imanbintdwd]

I've been to the gurdwara a couple of times and I know a thing or two about Sikhi... Sikhs are very welcoming people

[@ronguerra]

What happened with Rajvir? I feel like he hasn't uploaded a video in a year

[@LukmanShiyths]

Teaching english in kenya is taken serious

[@TheNationalist-v5q]

It's purely a skin colour issue. Had there been some Zambians living in Kenya for 30 years we would long have accepted them

[@gunnarronning]

On the term of influences. How does that resonate with democracy in Kenya? From the non privileged the corrupt politicians and their friends are the main problem. That includes anyone working with the government .

[@lugaritzbrown2250]

During colonial times the whites were the superior race,Indians second and blacks at the very top,so racial stratification has played a great role in the way things are.

[@aryangoyatT]

I don't think he's Kenyan. His accent is so indian, Was he really born and brought up in Kenya?

[@damarisambia1154]

His accent is from his tribe just like Luo's who are Kenyan also have there accent. All tribes have unique accent doesn't mean they are not Kenyan

[@zulphysenior]

You are Kenyan not Indian ✌🏽. I will always remind our Wajir brothers too who think the

[@KipngetichRono11]

Indian is a tribe in this case, not nationality. Just like I am Kenyan of Kalenjin, Luo, Kikuyu, Somali etc extraction

[@stephenodhiambo7556]

The girl is so beautiful. What's her name?

[@blochspin]

You are both wrong on English. East Africa was colonized by the British and hence all 3 countries Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have it as their official language. Fun Fact, Ugandans speak more English than Kenya and less Swahilli.

[@catherinemogaka7180]

Tanzania was first colonized by Germany

[@section8ight174]

Tanzania wasn’t colonised by the Brits but a protectorate, know the difference!

[@blochspin]

@@section8ight174 You are dreaming! The only region is east africa that was given that name was the great lakes region of Uganda with Buganda and Bunyoro kingdoms. Elsewhere, there were no organized authorities to give that title to and hence both Kenya and Tanzania were true colonies.

[@zulphysenior]

You are Kenyan not Indian ✌🏽. I will always remind our Wajir brothers too who think the

[@HITNR]

Go to India and see what they call you

[@KipngetichRono11]

Indian is a tribe in this case, not nationality. Just like I am Kenyan of Kalenjin, Luo, Kikuyu, Somali etc extraction.