Hinduism in Kenya

Introduction

Hinduism in Kenya mainly comes from coastal trade routes between primarily between Gujarat and Marwar in India and East Africa.

The Origin of the Kenyan Gujarati dates back to the late 1800s (early 1900s), when British colonialists brought laborers from India to build the Uganda-Kenya railway. Many of the laborers, rather than voyage back to the Indian subcontinent, simply settled in Kenya, and slowly brought with them a host of hopefuls willing to start afresh.

Hindus in Kenya

One percent of Kenyan population practiced Hinduism as reported by [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71307.htm IRF]

Today, the Gujarati community in Kenya is estimated at over Sixty thousand, and is dispersed throughout the country. Despite varying degrees of acculturation, most have retained their strong Gujarati ties.

There are few hundred Kenyans converted to Hinduism mainly through Hare Krishnas.

Brahma Kumaris and Satya Sai Baba Organisation are also active in Kenya.

Hindus owned and controlled a lot of the construction and farming businesses in Kenya.

Hindu Temples in Kenya

*BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Haile Selassie Rd., P.O. Box 81284, Mombasa, Kenya
*BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Forest Road, P. O. Box 40570, Nairobi, Kenya
*ISKCON Krishna Temple, Nairobi, Kenya
*BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Masaai Avenue, P.O.Box 541, Nakuru
*BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Tagore Road, P.O.Box 3643, Eldoret
*BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Okore Road, P.O.Box 164, Kisumu [http://tamilelibrary.org/teli/temple2.html]
*Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Temple [http://www.balajikenya.org/]

Hindu Council of Kenya

Hindu Council of Kenya is an umbrella body of Hindus in Kenya, and is associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of the Hindu nationalist Sangh Parivar. The Council is recognised by the GovernmentFact|date=February 2008.

Until a few years back, the Hindus were described in the voter’s register as 'Non-Muslims'. Due to the efforts of the Council, they are now described as 'Hindus'. The Council has been busy in preparing syllabus and books for Hindu religious education [http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/qVishwa%20Samanvya/vishvahinduparishadabroad.htm]

athya Sai Organisation in Kenya

Sathya Sai Organisation has Centres in Kenya.

Sri Sathya Sai School is located in Kiserian.

Hare Krishnas in Kenya

Hare Krishnas has a good presence felt in Kenya.

Krishna temples was first established in Nairobi and Mombassa in 1969. The same year, one of ISKCON’s most prominent devotees from Africa, HG Shakti Mati devi dasi, was initiated in Nairobi.

Hare Krishnas has 3 Centres in Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi

Brahma Kumaris in Kenya

Brahma Kumaris has 6 Centres in Kenya.

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre,Global Museum, Maua Close, Westlands, PO Box 123 – 00606, Nairobi

Raja Yoga Centre,House No 5, Lochab's Estate, Off ,Lumubuma AvenueElgon View, PO Box 2511 Eldoret

Raja Yoga Centre,Nzoia Road,Opp Mobil Petrol Station, PO Box 1017,Kisumu

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yopga Centre,Dedan Kimathi Avenue, Opp Foster Bakery,Kizingo Estate, PO Box 2450Mombasa

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre,Nairobi-Nakuru Road,Nakuru Blanket Compound First Row, Last House, PO Box 333,Nakuru

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre,Mombasa Road,PO Box 163, Thika

External links

* [http://www.hinduismtoday.com/hpi/2003/7/5.shtml Kenyan National Motto Controversial to Some]
* [http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk/Issues/15/Kenya.htm The Hindu heritage of Kenya]
* [http://www.sathyasaicentrekenya.com/centre.htm Sri Satya Sai Centre in Kenya]
* [http://www.iskcon.com/worldwide/centres/africa.html Hare Krishna Centres in Kenya]
* [http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/09-06/features419.htm The History of ISKCON Kenya]
* [http://www.bkwsu.org//whereweare/center Brahma Kumaris has 6 Centres in Kenya]