The colonial history of Kenya, told through old houses and monuments

[@abocas]

I am so happy I found this video. I live part time in Kenya and I feel so sad when I pass colonial buildings falling apart. There are some wonderful buildings in Mombasa and no one seems to care about them.

[@lifestylewagon5307]

what a great project ! well done

[@MufasaMike]

Thanks, and yes so interesting

[@Spookrider100]

Excellent videos Mike.

[@MainaGakere]

Indeed us Kenyans should preserve our history even before colonialism. It helps us understand and appreciate all tribes in country.

[@freemanjohn5255]

Nairobi is very beautiful, and the old houses and gardens give me deep impression

[@landrat11]

I wish you good luck and success for this great project!

[@kim1570]

Interesting project. I'm curious to see what will come of it. The photo at 3:09 of the Maasai men... do you have any info on where it was taken and in what year?

[@peterlbaldwin511]

I think that there are some salient points that must be considered when one looks at the "Whites" in Kenya including those members of the notorious "Happy Valley Set". Firstly Kenya was the only country in Africa to actually have an operating railway before the influx of white settlers began. This meant that passengers disembarking at Mombasa had a comparatively, by those standards, comfortable overnight journey by train to Nairobi, the capital; rather than a tortuous and often dangerous 14 day trek by ox-wagon over incredibly rough terrain. The railway had been built to serve the British Protectorate of Uganda, which had been the source of much of the region's trade in slaves. Secondly, the British Government was alarmed by the growing presence of Germans in what was then neighbouring German East Africa, now Tanzania.. So it was decided to encourage Britons to settle the hitherto sparsely populated region to be known as Kenya, by offering very favourable land grants for sizeable acreages. Another real advantage for British settlers was that a large portion of the interior was of such high altitude that although the country straddled the Equator, the climate was in fact "Temporate" rather than Tropical. As far as the handful of settlers known as "The Happy Valley Set", whose infamy spread far and wide, it must also be remembered that they were very much a minority there, and most white settlers were decent hard working folk. But getting back to "The Happy Valley" it must also be considered that most had arrived with their vices already intact. They were virtually without exception "Remittance" people with a few amusing hangers on, who did not have to worry about such irksome details as having to earn a living to worry about and whose hedonistic, profligate lifestyles threatened to plague their conservative families with scandal. Thus it was decided to ship them off to Kenya where they could live out their lives of debauched excess, largely out of sight. Remember this was before the age of mass comminication. So they arrived with their crystal and bone china, even grand piano's, intact.. Some even went so far as to ship out entire sizeable pre-fabricated houses..

[@njoroon8440]

Av been to Mr. Nderitu's house in Kinangop

[@felixyusupov7299]

That one house was shown in the movie "Constant Gardener". Hopefully some of these houses can be preserved. I've seen stately homes in other African countries left to rot. Eventually mother nature takes over.

[@jeremywatson4671]

Great job Mike

[@MufasaMike]

Thanks Jeremy :)

[@neilawendo1011]

Amazing video

[@MufasaMike]

Thanks Neil

[@macheocbo]

Quite fascinating.

[@AlexBeunker]

So... basically the same exact thing that happened in places like Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore

[@e.jenima7263]

I never relised how pritty Kenya actully was. no wonder the Britsh elite settled there more than anywear. I know africa has many differnit landscapes but i must admit When i think of it the Pritty delacate flowers and green trees and strange pine trees do not come to mind. when i think of africa i think of the lush but gorss humis swanmpyness of west africa or the savana that looks nice but is parched and dry for most of the year. Kenya allmost looks more cool and tempret but i am shure it get hot. but yeah.

[@jamesnjenga813]

North eastern and northern kenya in general is hot with semi arid parts bt central and western kenya is pretty much temperate

[@diasporareturnee]

Instead of just telling us stories about these buildings, HTK should tell us who owns the title deeds to the land and how investors can purchase them for restoration. Theories in videos take us nowhere

[@philodaniell9096]

Was looking for something providing kenyas history before it's destruction of its history by the British. Am so embarrassed by this video telling an enslaved nation how its awful masters who still hold those horrible opinions of themselves built houses in our country. Can you please dig up the history they destroyed and show Kenyans how we lived and what houses we lived in. What is the matter with us.. are we so brainwashed we can't see our selves anymore. This is appalling guys . When you go their countries they will never show you what the Romans did ! Am so angry once again. We want our own history not theirs please

[@Future88746]

Nyinyi bado mnaskiza vile wazungu wanawaambia, ATI colonialism iliwasaidia kujua kujenga.😂😂😂 Enyewe wakenya bado mna ufala, kwani wazunye hawangewasaidia bila kuua watu wenu?😮😮 Bado mna massage ego za wazunye. Mtakolonaiziwa tena msupofungua akili. Kwani nyinyi hamna watu wana hizo skills. Fala sana.😢😢

[@tabithakinyanjui1351]

Why is it about whites and not us

[@githendurichard8321]

its about revenge 'in a good way' we try and benefit colonisation. I think its brilliant.

[@aonyx5270]

Did you preserve any Kenyan history before British colonization? I'm sure people would be interested to see it.

[@saeedaosman3510]

Hello we are here to preserve historical buildings,so let's do this,if you dint like this content walk away pliz🙏

[@freemanjohn5255]

Nairobi is very beautiful, and the old houses and gardens give me deep impression