THE NUBIAN COMMUNITY IN KENYA.

The Nubians are an ethnic minority group among the diverse ethnic groups in Kenya. Estimated to be more than forty-two. The historical background of the Nubians can be traced back to the early 1800's the community's special relationship with the colonial government. Majority were enlisted in the colonial army of the British Empire and helped to open up the interior of East Africa. Hundreds served in bath the 1st and 2nd World Wars gallantly. The soldiers made up the backbone of the King's African Rifles in Kenya when it was formed in 1902. Regiments of the King's African Rifles were later relocated to both Uganda and Tanzania. Some of these soldiers had their families but many married all within the local tribes. These soldiers, with their children, later scattered all over East Africa and continued to retain an outstanding record of service for the colonial British government. The colonial government identified and allocated various areas (land) to the ex-soldiers upon the understanding that, on discharge, the army or the retiring, would peacefully settle with their wives and children permanently and continue agricultural pursuits. This was based on the consideration that the soldiers and their descendants had no any link with where they originally came from. These soldiers were stationed and later settled in the following areas: Luba, Bondo, El-Dama Ravine,Kericho, Machakos, Mombasa, Kibigori, Kibos, Kendu Bay, Migori, Isiolo and Kisii. Other settlements included Mumias, Oyugis, Bungoma, Busia, Marsabit, Kamagambo, Meru and Kibera. Note-Kibera,kenya's largest slum got its name from the nubian word kibra,meaning forest,as the area was a large forest and is the first home base for the Nubians.