Jomo Kenyatta was instrumental in achieving the independence of Kenya from British rule. Initially a prominent leader in the Kenya African National Union (KANU), Kenyatta advocated for independence through political activism and negotiation. He was arrested in the 1950s during the Mau Mau uprising against colonial rule but later emerged as a key figure in Kenya's liberation movement. Upon independence in 1963, Kenyatta became Kenya’s first Prime Minister, emphasizing national unity and development. His leadership was pivotal in transitioning Kenya from a colonial state to a republic, shaping the future of the nation and its policies.