When
British Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963,
Elizabeth II remained head of state as
Queen of Kenya (and of
the United Kingdom and many former colonies). The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the
Governor-General of Kenya,
Malcolm John Macdonald.
Jomo Kenyatta held office as
prime minister (and
head of government). Elizabeth II had visited Kenya on 6 February 1952, before independence, and later visited the Republic of Kenya several times. The Republic of Kenya came into existence on 12 December 1964, while remaining in
the Commonwealth by common consent of other governments. Following the abolition of the monarchy,
Jomo Kenyatta became the first
President of the Republic of Kenya. ==References==