With Kenya being a huge agricultural paradise and the need to expand its trade into several countries, Britain colonized Kenya in 1895. A secondary effect of this colonization was that to establish greater global influence, as the Germans were creating the conditions to do the same. In 1920, Britain established British East Africa as an official crown colony of the British Empire. In the late 1940s resentment toward British intruders deepened among the Kikuyu, giving rise to a violent society known as Mau Mau. Several factors to the rebellion included low wages, being forced from one's homeland, and female circumcision. The main issue was the void of political representation for the people of Kenya, under British colonial rule. In October 1952 the war officially began with British soldiers deployed in Kenya. The British Empire declared Kenya a state of emergency and quickly attempted to quell the resistance. The alleged Mau Mau were tortured, castrated and raped. The guerrilla warfare continued for another 8 years. After much bloodshed on both sides, the British overwhelmed the rebels, forcing the Kikuyu into submission. In 1960 the war was declared over. The British government recognized the need for change and granted Kenya independence in 1963. Mau Mau leader, Jomo Kenyatta became the first president of the newly formed nation. Although independence had been granted, the