Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on provenance of the collection.
Level of description
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
[196-] (Reproduction)
-
[1886-1962] (Creation)
- Creator
- Kenya National Archives
Physical description area
Physical description
139 microfilm reels
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Kenya National Archives, now known as the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS), was established in 1965 by an Act of Parliament. KNADS mission is to preserve and make accessible the information resources of the Republic of Kenya. Initially KNADS was placed under the office of the Vice President and the Minister of Home Affairs. Currently it is under the office of the Vice-President and the Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture.
KNADS Director is John G. M’reria (2008-present). Past Directors include Mr. Musila Musembi (1991-2005) and Lawrence I. Mwangi (2005-2008). Past Archivists include: C. Bwye (Senior Registry Superintendent, 1956-1959), R. R. Mann (Archivist, 1960-1961; Controller of Office Services, 1961-1962), Derek Charman (Archivist, 1963-1965), Nathan W. Fedha (Government Archivist, 1965 – 1974), Maina Kagombe (Chief Archivist, 1974-1981), and Musila Musembi (Chief Archivist, 1982-1990).
Custodial history
The original documents were collected and microfilmed by Syracuse University in collaboration with Nathan Fedha, the Chief Archivist of Kenya, in the mid-1960s. The microfilms were purchased for Loyola College from the Kenya National Archives ca. 1972.
Scope and content
Mainly consists of archival materials documenting the actions and activities of the British colonial and the post-colonial governments in Kenya between the late 1880s through the early 1960s. 139 microfilm reels contain copies of thousands of government records, including annual and quarterly reports, intelligence reports, correspondence, secretariat circulars, and record books, amongst others. These once confidential records serve to document the economic, social, religious, and political upheavals in Kenya in the twentieth century leading to its independence from the United Kingdom in 1963.
The Collection is divided into 6 series, which were assigned to the documents when they were first microfilmed by Syracuse University:
C003/A Provincial and district annual and quarterly reports
C003/B Provincial and district record books
C003/C Provincial and district handing over reports
C003/D Correspondence
C003/E Intelligence reports
C003/F Secretariat circulars
Notes area
Physical condition
Microfilm reels generally in good condition. Some fading has occurred.
Immediate source of acquisition
Purchased from the Kenya National Archives ca. 1972.
Arrangement
Original order of the material has been maintained.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Originals in Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service.
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
No reproductions can be made in part or in full without prior written consent of the copyright holder.
No material can be published in part or in full without prior written consent of the copyright holder.
Finding aids
Box list, indexes, and guides available.
The following indexes are available: geographic, subject, and author.
Unpublished guide to the collection prepared by Edward A. Collister (1977-1981).
Other useful guide: Gregory, R.G., Maxon, R.M., & Spencer, L.P. (1968). A guide to the Kenya National Archives: to the microfilms of the provincial and district annual reports, record books, and handing-over reports, miscellaneous correspondence, and intelligence reports. Syracuse University Eastern African Bibliographical Series No. 3, Kenya. Syracuse, New York: Syracuse University.
These resources are available for consultation in the Special Collections reading room.
Finding aid
Associated materials
Syracuse University Libraries’, Syracuse, New York, and the Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, Illinois, have microforms from the Kenya National Archives in their collections.
Accruals
No further accruals expected.
Conservation
Microfilm boxes replaced when necessary.
Rights
Copyright held by the Kenya National Archives and documentation Service.