Passion or Profession: President

Period: 1889–1978

A leader of Kenya's independence movement, Kenyatta was imprisoned from 1953 until 1961 for his efforts to secure the colony's autonomy from the British. In 1963, Kenya was granted independence and, in his role as prime minister, Kenyatta helped draft Kenya's constitution. The following year, he was elected the country's first president, a position he held until his death.