Israel Somen (1903 – 9 October 1984), also known as Issy Somen, was a Jewish Kenyan politician businessman and diplomat. He was a one time Mayor of Nairobi[1][2][3] and later Israel's Honorary Consul to Kenya.[4]
Somen's family emigrated to Kenya in the early part of the twentieth century and was among those that established successful businesses in the country. The Somens owned the leading furniture store Hutchings Biemer as well as coffee and other interests. Somen, who was also a one time president of the Board of Kenya Jews, lived in Kenya for over 40 years. His wife Sophie Biemer was born in Kenya. He was elected mayor of Nairobi in 1955[5] together with deputy mayor Dobbs Johnson.
Somen played a leading role in establishing amicable relations between Kenya and Israel both pre and post independence. He left Kenya in the late 1960s moving first to Switzerland and then to London where he died. His nephew Michael and a number of his family and relations still live in Kenya.
Legacyedit
His great nephews, David and Jonathan Somen, founded an ISP in Kenya called AccessKenya Group. His other great nephew, Mark Somen, is a successful hospitality professional and started The Conduit- a community focused on positive social change.
^"The Virtual Jewish History Tour: Kenya". Retrieved August 8, 2012.
^De Mello, Jules (July 17, 1959). . Archived from the original on November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
^Nicholls, Christine Stephanie (2005). Red strangers: the white tribe of Kenya. Timewell Press. p. 245. ISBN978-1-85725-206-4. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
^Goldstein, Israel (1984). My world as a Jew: the memoirs of Israel Goldstein. Vol. 2. Associated University Presses. p. 57. ISBN978-0-8453-4780-5. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
^Lewis, Rhona. "Shalom From Kenya". Retrieved 2018-04-23.
Anderson, David (2005). Histories of the Hanged: The Dirty War in Kenya and the End of Empire. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN978-0-393-32754-0.
January 01, 1970
israel, somen, 1903, october, 1984, also, known, issy, somen, jewish, kenyan, politician, businessman, diplomat, time, mayor, nairobi, later, israel, honorary, consul, kenya, born1903died9, october, 1984, aged, occupation, politician, diplomat, contents, biogr. Israel Somen 1903 9 October 1984 also known as Issy Somen was a Jewish Kenyan politician businessman and diplomat He was a one time Mayor of Nairobi 1 2 3 and later Israel s Honorary Consul to Kenya 4 Israel SomenBorn1903Died9 October 1984 aged 80 81 Occupation s Politician and diplomat Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 References 3 1 BibliographyBiography editSomen s family emigrated to Kenya in the early part of the twentieth century and was among those that established successful businesses in the country The Somens owned the leading furniture store Hutchings Biemer as well as coffee and other interests Somen who was also a one time president of the Board of Kenya Jews lived in Kenya for over 40 years His wife Sophie Biemer was born in Kenya He was elected mayor of Nairobi in 1955 5 together with deputy mayor Dobbs Johnson Somen played a leading role in establishing amicable relations between Kenya and Israel both pre and post independence He left Kenya in the late 1960s moving first to Switzerland and then to London where he died His nephew Michael and a number of his family and relations still live in Kenya Legacy editHis great nephews David and Jonathan Somen founded an ISP in Kenya called AccessKenya Group His other great nephew Mark Somen is a successful hospitality professional and started The Conduit a community focused on positive social change Somen died in London England in October 1984 6 References edit The Virtual Jewish History Tour Kenya Retrieved August 8 2012 De Mello Jules July 17 1959 Dr A C L de Sousa The Founder of the Goan Overseas Association and a Great Protagonist of Goan Education in East Africa Archived from the original on November 7 2006 Retrieved August 8 2012 Nicholls Christine Stephanie 2005 Red strangers the white tribe of Kenya Timewell Press p 245 ISBN 978 1 85725 206 4 Retrieved 19 June 2011 Goldstein Israel 1984 My world as a Jew the memoirs of Israel Goldstein Vol 2 Associated University Presses p 57 ISBN 978 0 8453 4780 5 Retrieved 19 June 2011 Lewis Rhona Shalom From Kenya Retrieved 2018 04 23 Kenya Israel Gets Reprieve in Dispute Bibliography edit Anderson David 2005 Histories of the Hanged The Dirty War in Kenya and the End of Empire W W Norton amp Company ISBN 978 0 393 32754 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Israel Somen amp oldid 1129992758, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
