The influential African leader known for leading the struggle against colonialism in Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta. As a prominent figure in the fight for independence, he served as the leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and played a central role in mobilizing resistance against British colonial rule. Kenyatta was imprisoned during the Mau Mau Uprising but emerged as a key political leader advocating for Kenya's self-determination. Upon independence in 1963, he became the first President of Kenya, steering the nation toward nation-building and promoting unity among its diverse ethnic groups while emphasizing development and modernization.