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Natural Resources
Limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
Environmental Issues
Water faces extreme pollution from urban and industrial wastes and increased use of pesticides and fertilizers. The water in Lake Victoria is infested with hyacinth, and the country faces deforestation, soil erosion, desertification and poaching.
Industries
Commercial ship repair, tourism and small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour, agricultural products, oil refining, aluminum, steel, lead, cement)
Military Branches
Army, navy and air force
Independence
Dec. 12, 1963 (from the United Kingdom)
Economic Overview
The regional hub for trade and finance in east Africa, Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the International Monetary Fund suspended Kenya’s Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program because of the government’s failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought in 1999 and 2000 compounded Kenya’s problems, leading to water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, the gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001, when the government failed to institute several anti-corruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption and low investments limited Kenya’s economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at 1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support and political infighting leading up to the democratic elections. In the key December 2002 presidential election, Daniel Arap Moi’s 24-year reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. In 2003, progress was made in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, with GDP growth edging up to 1.7%. The GDP grew a moderate 2.2% in 2004.
Location
Kenya is in east Africa between Somalia and Tanzania and borders the Indian Ocean. It is slightly more than twice the size of Nevada. The “swoop” of the thumbprint on the KenyaRelief.org logo symbolizes the geographical location of Kenya on the African continent.
Population
36,913,721
Government
Republic
Capitol
Nairobi
Climate
The climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid and dry in the interior.
Natural Hazards
Recurring drought and flooding during the rainy seasons.
Languages
English (official), Kiswahili (official) and numerous indigenous languages.
The Basics
Life Expectancy
57.8 years
People Living with HIV/AIDS
1.2 million (more than 3.5% of population)
Children (age 17 and under) orphaned by AIDS
650,000
Orphans
More than 2 million
Birth Rate
40.13 per 1,000 population
Death Rate
14.65 deaths per 1,000
Infant Mortality Rate
57.44 deaths per 1,000 births
Population Below Poverty Line
50%
Ethnic Groups
Kikuyu, 22%; Luhya, 14%; Luo, 13%; Kalenjin, 12%; Kamba 11%; Kisii, 6%; Meru, 6%; other African, 15%; Asian, European and Arab, 1%
Religious Groups
Protestants, 45%; Roman Catholics, 33%; indigenous beliefs, 10%; Muslims, 10%; others, 2% (estimates vary widely)
The Country
The People