Hinduism in Kenya

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Hindus in Kenya 3 Hindu Temples in Kenya 4 Hindu Council of Kenya 5 Sathya Sai Organisation in Kenya 6 Hare Krishnas in Kenya 7 Brahma Kumaris in Kenya 8 External Links

[edit] Introduction

Hinduism in Kenya mainly comes from coastal trade routes between primarily Hindu India (particularly Gujarat and Marwar) 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.

[edit] Hindus in Kenya

One percent of Kenyan population practiced Hinduism as reported by 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.

[edit] Hindu Temples in Kenya

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS), Haile Selassie Rd., P.O. Box 81284, Mombasa, Kenya

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Bochasanwasi Shree Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Forest Road, P. O. Box 40570, Nairobi, Kenya [1]

ISKCON Krishna Temple, Nairobi, Kenya

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS), Masaai Avenue, P.O.Box 541, Nakuru

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS), Tagore Road, P.O.Box 3643, Eldoret

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (BAPS), Okore Road, P.O.Box 164, Kisumu [2]

Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Temple [3]

[edit] Hindu Council of Kenya

Hindu Council of Kenya is an umbrella body of Hindus in Kenya and all the Hindu Organisations are members of the Council. The Council is recognised by the Government.

The Hindus of Kenya resolve their common problems through the medium of the Council. 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 [4]

[edit] Sathya Sai Organisation in Kenya

Sathya Sai Organisation has Centres in Kenya.

Sri Sathya Sai School is located in Kiserian.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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 Avenue Elgon 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 2450 Mombasa

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

[edit] External Links

• Kenyan National Motto Controversial to Some
• The Hindu heritage of Kenya
• Sri Satya Sai Centre in Kenya
• Hare Krishna Centres in Kenya
• The History of ISKCON Kenya
• Brahma Kumaris has 6 Centres in Kenya