Historical leaders of Kenya and other associated countries

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The following list shows all historical leaders of Kenya starting with the most recent. The definition of leader differs across countries, usually referring to a head of state or head of government. This list shows the person who is publicly recognized as the leader, i.e., the person representing the country internationally and being in charge of running the day-to-day domestic political agenda.

In case the country has seen one or multiple political transformations over time, former governance structures are also listed below.

Leaders of Kenya

Kenya

William arap Ruto

President

Since Sep 13th, 2022

Kenya

Uhuru Kenyatta

President

Apr 9th, 2013 to Sep 13th, 2022

Kenya

Mwai Kibaki

President

Dec 30th, 2002 to Apr 9th, 2013

Kenya

Daniel arap Moi

President

Nov 8th, 1978 to Dec 30th, 2002

Kenya

Daniel arap Moi

Acting President

Aug 22nd, 1978 to Nov 8th, 1978

Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta

President

Dec 12th, 1964 to Aug 22nd, 1978

Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta

Prime Minister

Jun 1st, 1963 to Dec 12th, 1964

Leaders of Kenya Colony

Kenya Colony

Malcolm MacDonald

Governor

Jan 4th, 1963 to Jun 1st, 1963

Kenya Colony

Sir Eric Griffith-Jones

Governor

Nov 17th, 1962 to Jan 4th, 1963

Kenya Colony

Sir Patrick Muir Renison

Governor

Oct 23rd, 1959 to Nov 17th, 1962

Kenya Colony

Walter Coutts

Governor

Oct 4th, 1959 to Oct 23rd, 1959

Kenya Colony

Sir Evelyn Baring

Governor

Sep 30th, 1952 to Oct 4th, 1959

Kenya Colony

Henry Steven Potter

Governor

Jun 21st, 1952 to Sep 29th, 1952

Kenya Colony

Sir Philip Mitchell

Governor

Dec 11th, 1944 to Jun 21st, 1952

Kenya Colony

Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore

Governor

Jan 9th, 1940 to Oct 25th, 1944

Kenya Colony

Walter Harragin

Governor

Sep 30th, 1939 to Jan 9th, 1940

Kenya Colony

Sir Robert Brooke-Popham

Governor

Apr 6th, 1937 to Jan 9th, 1940

Kenya Colony

Sir Armigel Wade

Governor

Dec 22nd, 1936 to Apr 6th, 1937

Kenya Colony

Sir Joseph Byrne

Governor

Feb 13th, 1931 to Dec 22nd, 1936

Kenya Colony

Sir Henry Monck-Mason Moore

Governor

Sep 27th, 1930 to Feb 13th, 1931

Kenya Colony

Edward Grigg

Governor

Oct 3rd, 1925 to Sep 27th, 1930

Kenya Colony

Edward Brandis Denham

Governor

Feb 10th, 1925 to Oct 3rd, 1925

Kenya Colony

Sir Robert Coryndon

Governor

Aug 31st, 1922 to Feb 10th, 1925

Kenya Colony

Sir Edward Northey

Governor

Jun 11th, 1920 to Aug 28th, 1922

Leaders of East Africa Protectorate

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Edward Northey

Governor

Feb 1st, 1919 to Jun 11th, 1920

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Charles Calvert Bowring

Acting Governor

Apr 14th, 1917 to Feb 1st, 1919

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Henry Conway Belfield

Governor

Oct 3rd, 1912 to Apr 14th, 1917

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Charles Calvert Bowring

Acting Governor

Jul 17th, 1912 to Oct 3rd, 1912

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Percy Girouard

Commissioner

Sep 16th, 1909 to Jul 17th, 1912

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Charles Calvert Bowring

Governor

Apr 12th, 1909 to Sep 16th, 1909

East Africa Protectorate

Sir James Hayes Sadler

Governor

Dec 12th, 1905 to Apr 12th, 1909

East Africa Protectorate

Frederick John Jackson

Commissioner

Oct 1st, 1905 to Dec 12th, 1905

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Donald William Stewart

Commissioner

Aug 1st, 1904 to Oct 1st, 1905

East Africa Protectorate

Frederick John Jackson

Acting Commissioner

May 20th, 1904 to Aug 1st, 1904

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Charles Eliot

Commissioner

Dec 30th, 1900 to May 20th, 1904

East Africa Protectorate

Trevor Ternan

Acting Commissioner

Oct 7th, 1900 to Dec 30th, 1900

East Africa Protectorate

Sir Arthur Henry Hardinge

Colonial Head

Jul 1st, 1895 to Oct 7th, 1900