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 and later
Israel
Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...
's Honorary Consul to
Kenya
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Biography
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 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
His great nephews, David and
Jonathan Somen
Jonathan Somen is the co-founder of Access Kenya Group alongside his brother, David Somen.
Early life
The Somen family emigrated to Kenya in 1923 when Israel Somen relocated from South Africa to work in government. Jonathan Somen was born on 27 ...
, 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.
Kenya: Israel Gets Reprieve in Dispute
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References
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Somen, Israel
1903 births
1984 deaths
Israeli diplomats
20th-century Israeli Jews
Jewish mayors
Kenyan emigrants to Israel
Kenyan Jews
Mayors of Nairobi