Kenya is home to a small Hindu community, representing a minority faith comprising only 0.13% of the country's population. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Hindu Council of Kenya, Hinduism has been officially recognized as a religion in Kenya, making it one of the three African nations to do so.
Hinduism in Kenya
Hindus in Kenya enjoy the freedom to practice their religion without any hindrance, and various cities in the country boast Hindu temples. These temples predominantly exhibit architectural styles inspired by the northern and western regions of India.
Hinduism's presence in Kenya can be traced back to the ancient trade routes that connected Gujarat, Marwar, Odisha, and the Chola empire in India with East Africa. These trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas, including the spread of Hinduism to the coastal regions of Kenya. Archaeological evidence reveals the existence of small Hindu settlements in Zanzibar, coastal parts of Kenya, the Swahili coast, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar.
Temples in Kenya
History of Hinduism in Kenya
The influence of Hinduism on the Swahili language is evident through the etymological roots of many words. Additionally, the arrival of British colonialists in the late 1800s and early 1900s led to the migration of Indian laborers to Kenya for the construction of the Uganda - Kenya railway. Instead of returning to India, many of these laborers chose to settle in Kenya, bringing with them a wave of individuals eager to start anew.
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