ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two trends in the relationship between the Kikuyu and the missionaries. The first trend involved missionary service to Kikuyu societies in education and advocacy. Missionaries sometimes used their influence with the government to lobby for African interests. The second set of missionary/Kikuyu relationships was more negative. Quite early in the period of contact, missionaries began to use their special relationship with the government to undermine aspects of African culture leading to modifications of Kikuyu traditional social practices. In 1908 the missionaries received government aid in stamping out some Kikuyu customs. Missionaries were able to persuade Governor Sir Percy Girouard that certain Kikuyu customs should be eliminated. The Kikuyu revolt against missionary interference, in an issue which revolved around women's status, led to the beginnings of the independent school movement in Kenya.
