 How Kenya got its name? The name Kenya has uncertain origins, but it is believed to be derived from the kikuyu, which means God's resting place, or mountain of whiteness. The name refers to Mount Kenya, the highest mountain in Kenya, and the second highest in Africa. During the colonial era, the British referred to the region as British East Africa, or East Africa Protectorate. However, after World War I, the territory was officially named Kenya Colony in 1920. The name was later changed to Colony and Protectorate of Kenya in 1923 to reflect the country's status as both a colony and a protectorate. When Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963, the country's name was changed to the Republic of Kenya. The name Kenya has since become a symbol of the country's identity in history, and it is also associated with the struggle for independence and self-determination.