Overview

Country Overview:

Founding father of the nation Mzee Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. President MOI stepped down in December of 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.

Kenya is about twice the size of Nevada covering an area of 582,650 sq km. It shares borders with five countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan Tanzania and Uganda. The Kenyan Coastline stretches for 536 km.

The climate varies from tropical along coast to arid in the interior. The contrasting terrain includes low laying plains along the coast gradually rising to the central highlands bisected by the Great Rift Valley to the west are is the fertile plateau. The highest point is Mount Kenya which peaks at 5,199 meters.

Kenya's natural resources include: Gold, Limestone, Soda Ash, Salt, Rubies, Fluorspar, Garnets, Hydropower and some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet.

The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value.

Present population is estimated at 32 million. 42% is below 14 years of age.

The main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu who make up 22% of the population followed by Luhya at 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6% and Meru 6%.

Close to 80% of Kenyans define themselves as Christian comprised of 45% Protestant and 33% Catholic. Indigenous beliefs and Muslim make up about 10% each.

Kenya has two official languages English & Kiswahili. It enjoys one of the highest literacy rates in Africa at well over 85%.

The capital city is Nairobi. The official name is the Republic of Kenya. It was formerly called British East Africa.

Administratively Kenya is divided into seven provinces and the capital Nairobi. The provinces are: Central Province, Coast Province, Eastern Province, North Eastern Province, Nyanza Province, Rift Valley Province and Western Province.

Kenya gained its independence on 12 December 1963 from Britain.

Its primary agricultural produce are: tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry and eggs

Main exports are: tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, and cement

Kenyan exports primarily go to: Uganda 18.3%, UK 12.9%, US 8%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 4.9%, Tanzania 4.4%, Egypt 4.1% (2002)

Main imports are: machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Imports primarily come from: UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, South Africa 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8% (2002)

The currency is the Kenyan shilling (KES) The exchange rate is about 79 Kenya shillings to US dollar.