From: Jeremy Kinyanjui

“Sanders of the River”, the 1935 movie in which independent Kenya’s founding Premier & President, Jomo Kenyatta, makes a cameo appearance. “Sanders of the River” stars the legendary Paul Robeson. Jomo Kenyatta, father of independent Kenya’s 4th President, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, landed the role of a “Tribal Chief” in “Sanders of the River”, during his long 15 year sojourn in Europe of 1931 – 1946. Jomo Kenyatta, and other “Tribal Chiefs”, appear alongside Paul Robeson (“Bosambo”) in a scene that lasts from about the 31st minute to the 34th minute, a scene where Leslie Banks (Commissioner Lord R.G. Sanders), is bidding farewell to “Tribal Chiefs” who have served him loyally during his tour of duty. After a brief thank-you address by Commissioner Lord R.G. Sanders, the “Tribal Chiefs” disperse, and one notes Jomo Kenyatta disperse alongside his fellow “Tribal Chiefs”, with his distinct trademark swagger. Many who were alive during Jomo Kenyatta’s 15 year rule of 1963 – 1978, or who may not have been alive but have nevertheless watched video clips of the Jomo Kenyatta years, distinctly remember Jomo’s trademark flamboyant swagger like e.g. during the State Opening of Parliament in 1974, where Jomo majestically swaggers along the corridors of Parliament on his way to the chambers. “Sanders of the River” wasn’t that great a movie, but what has helped keep the legend of the movie alive to this day, is the fact that it’s star, Paul Robeson, was a pioneer African-American top-notch actor who trail-blazed the path for numerous African-American actors & actresses who came after him. Just like African-American boxing legend Joe Louis created a memorable Illustrious path for the likes of Floyd Patterson, Sonny Liston, Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton, Leon Sphinks, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Larry Holmes, Michael Sphinks, Trevor Berbick, Tony Tucker, Tyrone Biggs, Mitch Green, Mike Tyson, James Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield, so also did Paul Robeson similarly create a memorable Illustrious path for the likes of Hattie McDaniel, Sidney Poitier, Richard Roundtree, Jim Kelly, Cecily Tyson, Janet du Bois, Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Mo’Nique, Octavia Spencer, John Amos, Gary Coleman, Richard Pryor, Morgan Freeman, Carl Weathers, Lou Gosset Jr., Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jamie Foxx, Forrest Whitakher and Will Smith. Download the movie “Sanders of the River”, one hour & 26 minutes (a 29MB file), at the following dropbox.com link i.e.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j0tu1oollafcyfd/Sanders%20of%20the%20River%20%281935%29%20-%20Zoltan%20Korda%20-%20YouTube.zip