Origin of the name Kenya

 Kenya was initially known as the British East Africa Protectorate or British East Africa and it was not until 1920 that it was officially named Kenya.

The earliest recorded version of the modern name was written by German explorer Johann Ludwig Krapf in the 19th century.

While travelling with a Kamba caravan led by the legendary long-distance trader Chief Kivoi, Krapf spotted the mountain peak and asked what it was called.

Kivoi told him "Kĩ-Nyaa" or "Kĩĩma- Kĩĩnyaa" probably because the pattern of black rock and white snow on its peaks reminded them of the feathers of the cock ostrich.

The Agikuyu, who inhabit the slopes of Mt. Kenya, call it Kĩrĩma Kĩrĩnyaga in Kikuyu, while the Embu call it "Kirenyaa." All three names have the same meaning.

Ludwig Krapf recorded the name as both Kenia and Kegnia. Others state that this was, on the contrary, a very precise notation of a correct African pronunciation