Category Archives: wiki

Wiki: A brief History of Kenya

Kenya has a rich and complex history. Unfortunately, much of it risks being lost due to inadequate documentation, fragmented storytelling, and the passage of time. Even more concerning is the recurring tendency to revise history to suit prevailing political, social, or ideological dispensations. In the process, important truths are often diluted, overlooked, or reshaped to fit contemporary narratives.

On this wing of the How and Where blog, you will find a space for explanation, reflection, and contextualisation. This is where we go beyond headlines and surface-level accounts. Here, we seek to help you understand not just what is happening, but why it is happening.

We explore Kenya’s past deliberately and thoughtfully. This wiki revisits historical episodes, unpacking key moments, and examining the decisions, conflicts, and forces that have shaped the nation. From pre-colonial societies to the colonial period, from independence to modern-day governance, we connect the dots between then and now.

At the same time, we pay close attention to current affairs. Today’s events are tomorrow’s history, and documenting them with clarity and honesty is essential. We record and analyse ongoing developments not just as news, but as part of a larger story that future generations will look back on for understanding.

This section is, therefore, both a mirror and a lens: a mirror reflecting where Kenya has been, and a lens through which we can consider where it might be going. By grounding ourselves in historical context and engaging critically with the present, we aim to foster a deeper, more informed perspective on the country’s journey.

Ultimately, this is a space for curious minds—those who want to understand Kenya beyond the obvious, to question narratives, and to appreciate the layered realities that define the nation today.

Maziwa ya nyayo

Rio Olympics Scandal

The 2016 Rio Olympics scandal in Kenya involved the gross embezzlement of over Sh55 million (\(\$500,000\)) in public funds and the theft of team uniforms donated by Nike. High-ranking officials were convicted and heavily fined, while athletes were left stranded and denied their rightful kits and cash allowances. [1, 2, 3]
Key Details of the Scandal
  • Embezzlement & Mismanagement: An investigation revealed that funds meant for athletes’ travel, accommodation, and bonuses were systematically stolen by government and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) officials.
  • Stolen Uniforms: Athletes’ official Nike gear was diverted. In a notorious raid, police found boxes of the stolen sportswear hidden under the bed of NOCK vice president Ben Ekumbo.
  • Impact on Athletes: While the Kenyan team miraculously won 14 medals, athletes were forced to survive on substandard treatment, with some stranded in a Rio shanty town.
  • Convictions & Fines: Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and Chef de Mission Stephen Soi were convicted of corruption and abuse of office. They avoided lengthy jail sentences by paying multi-million shilling fines. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Broader Doping Scandal
Running parallel to the management corruption was a massive doping cover-up scandal. The manager of Kenya’s athletics team, Major Michael Rotich, was handed a 10-year ban by the IAAF (now World Athletics) after being caught in an undercover sting operation agreeing to tip off athletes about impending drug tests in exchange for bribes. [1, 2]
For a breakdown of how the scandal unfolded and the immediate fallout for Kenyan sports officials: