Gurudwaras in Kenya
The history of the Sikhs of East Africa begins in about 1890’s with the Railway – though detachments of Sikh Regiments had seen service in certain parts of East Africa in previous years.
The Sikhs who were brought over from India to build the old Uganda Railways were skilled workmen – carpenters, blacksmiths and masons. They were quick to adept themselves to the specialised requirements of the Railways and many became fitters and turners and boiler-makers.
The story of the construction of the Uganda Railway is well known in history with many books written about it -‘Man Eaters of Tsavo’ is one of the books which narrates the genuine fear of the labourers, who gave their lives in the jungles of Kenya while building the Railways. The early settlers had to face these marauding lions that were a constant threat to their lives. It is only necessary to mention that these famous man-eating lions seem to have had a great partiality for Sikhs as their staple diet. Anyway, these stout sons of the Punjab continued to push the twin lines of steel forward, lions and leopards notwithstanding.
These early Sikhs were soon joined by their educated brothers. There was no department of the pioneering Railway without its Sikhs. A number of policemen, ranging from inspectors to constables, were also sent from India to become the vital instrument of maintaining law and order. They remained in the country for several years.
Many, but not all, of the original Sikh arrivals returned to India to be replaced and augmented by others who came of their own volition. Their skills and industry were always in great demand.
The Sikhs penetrated into every nook and corner of East Africa to erect the buildings and to build the roads; to undertake general maintenance work on the farms; to serve in the offices and to assume charge of the hospitals.
The manner in which the Sikhs increased their usefulness to Kenya is a saga of resource and initiative and perseverance.
They undertook with confidence any type of work, which required skill and industry. They became highly successful farmers. They responded magnificently to the growing needs of the country by improving and diversifying their capabilities. They became contractors and furniture makers.
Please select one of the locations below for Gurudwara Sahibs located in Kenya
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The Juja Road branch of Siri Gurudwara Bazaar was started in 1962 consisting of Main prayer Hall, Langar, Guru Nanak Nursery School and Secondary School and dispensary. The foundation stone of the new building at Juja Road was laid by Sardar Gurmeet Singh Kandola of M/s. Kishan Singh & Sons Nakuru in 1987. The building […]
Sikh Temple Landia was the first Gurdwara established in Nairobi, Kenya in 1903. The Gurdwara is built in the vicinty of the main train station in Nairobi. It was built by the pioneering Sikhs who had worked on the East-African Railway Line during Kenya’s colonization by the British. At that time the entire area around […]
The present Ramgarhias are indebted to the pioneers, skilled artisans and technicians working on the Kenya Uganda Railways in the early nineteen’s. The Yatta Road Ramgarhia Hall came into existence when Sardar Hem Singh Sehmi laid the foundation stone in the year 1933. The construction of the hall was done in harambee spirit by members […]
Ramgahria Railway Sikh Temple South ‘C’ is a branch of Sikh Temple Landia. The First Gurdwara Sahib in Kenya. In 1960, the land for the present Ramgarhia Gurudwara in Nairobi South ‘C’ was offered free of charge to the Gurudwara Ramgarhia Railway for social Development. At a general meeting held on 5th September 1971 a […]
The history of Sikhs in Kenya’s Rift Valley and its largest town, Nakuru, is long and distinguished. In the early years many worked for the railway, the biggest employer, while others were employed by the Government Public Works Department and by the many European farmers who had settled in the areas towns � notably Elburgon, […]
Gur Singh Sabha, Eldoret, Kenya The Gurudwara was founded in 1958 by the sikh sangat of the area. Religious celebrations include observing the birthdays of all the Gurus, Martyrdom Gurpurbs of fifth and ninth Gurus, Baisakhi, First Parkash of Sahib sri Guru Granth Sahib. In addition every Sunday morning Diwan is held. Suitable accommodation is […]
Gurdwara Nanaksar Satsang Sabha runs like a typical Nanaksar instution where no money charava (donations) is accepted and no langar is cooked. The langar for every program comes prepared from the homes of the faithful Sikh Sangat of Nairobi. In May 2007, In the plot adjacent to the Gurdwara Sahib a new building was opened […]
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