Colonial administrators and post-independence leaders in Kenya (1895–2000)

The sultan of Zanzibar granted control of the coastal area of modern-day Kenya to the British East Africa Association (from 1888 the Imperial British East Africa Company) in 1887. In 1895 the British East Africa Protectorate was declared, with a commissioner appointed by the Foreign Office. In 1905 control was transferred to the Colonial Office, and a governor appointed. The commissioners (1895–1905) and governors (1905–20) of British East Africa are listed below.

The British East Africa Protectorate became the Kenya colony and protectorate in 1920. Limited self-government was given to the white settlers, who elected members to the legislative council from 1919. The governors of Kenya (1920–63) are listed below.

Kenya was given self-rule on a non-racial franchise in June 1963; the Kenya African National Union won the election and Jomo Kenyatta became prime minister. In December 1963 Kenya gained independence from the UK. A year later it became a republic, with Kenyatta as the first president. Kenya became a one-party state in 1982, but multi-party elections were again held from 1992. The presidents of Kenya (1964–2000) are listed below.