2012 Edition

Background

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's NARC coalition splintered in 2005 over a constitutional review process. Government defectors joined with KANU to form a new opposition coalition, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which defeated the government's draft constitution in a popular referendum in November 2005. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from ODM candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which as many as 1,500 people died. UN-sponsored talks in late February 2008 produced a power-sharing accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. Kenya in August 2010 adopted a new constitution that eliminates the role of prime minister after the next presidential election.

Area

580,367 sq km 569,140 sq km 11,227 sq km

total

580,367 sq km

water

11,227 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Climate

varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Coastline

536 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Mount Kenya 5,199 m

highest point

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.58 cu km/yr (30%/6%/64%) 46 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

46 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.58 cu km/yr (30%/6%/64%)

Geographic coordinates

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1,030 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,477 km Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, South Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

border countries

Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, South Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

total

3,477 km

Land use

8.01% 0.97% 91.02% (2005)

arable land

8.01%

other

91.02% (2005)

permanent crops

0.97%

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (elev. 1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

volcanism

limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (elev. 1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

Natural resources

limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Terrain

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Total renewable water resources

30.2 cu km (1990)

Age structure

42.5% (male 9,176,000/ female 9,120,710) 54.8% (male 11,765,106/ female 11,787,917) 2.7% (male 512,921/ female 650,687) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

42.5% (male 9,176,000/ female 9,120,710)

15-64 years

54.8% (male 11,765,106/ female 11,787,917)

65 years and over

2.7% (male 512,921/ female 650,687) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

31.93 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.5% (2003)

Death rate

7.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

7% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%

Health expenditures

12.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

6.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

80,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.5 million (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

43.61 deaths/1,000 live births 48.41 deaths/1,000 live births 38.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

38.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

43.61 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Life expectancy at birth

63.07 years 61.62 years 64.55 years (2012 est.)

female

64.55 years (2012 est.)

total population

63.07 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 87.4% 90.6% 84.2% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

84.2% (2010 est.)

male

90.6%

total population

87.4%

Major cities - population

NAIROBI (capital) 3.375 million; Mombassa 966,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and Rift Valley fever schistosomiasis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria and Rift Valley fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Maternal mortality rate

360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.8 years 18.7 years 18.9 years (2012 est.)

female

18.9 years (2012 est.)

male

18.7 years

total

18.8 years

Nationality

Kenyan(s) Kenyan

adjective

Kenyan

noun

Kenyan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2002)

Population

43,013,341 (July 2012 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.444% (2012 est.)

Religions

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2% a large majority of Kenyans are Christian, but estimates for the percentage of the population that adheres to Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely

Sanitation facility access

urban: 27% of population rural: 32% of population total: 31% of population urban: 73% of population rural: 68% of population total: 69% of population

rural

68% of population

total

69% of population

urban

73% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2009)

female

11 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.02 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.98 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

22% of total population (2010) 4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

22% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western; note - the constitution promulgated in August 2010 designates 47 yet-to-be-defined counties as first-order administrative units

Capital

Nairobi 1 17 S, 36 49 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

1 17 S, 36 49 E

name

Nairobi

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

27 August 2010; the new constitution abolishes the position of prime minister and establishes a bicameral legislature; many details have yet to be finalized and will require significant legislative action

Country name

Republic of Kenya Kenya Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya Kenya British East Africa

conventional long form

Republic of Kenya

conventional short form

Kenya

former

British East Africa

local long form

Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya

local short form

Kenya

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert F. GODEC US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P. O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621 Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831 [254] (20) 363-6000 [254] (20) 363-410

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert F. GODEC

embassy

US Embassy, United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P. O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621

FAX

[254] (20) 363-410

mailing address

Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831

telephone

[254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Elkanah ODEMBO Absalom 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-6101 [1] (202) 462-3829 Los Angeles New York

chancery

2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Elkanah ODEMBO Absalom

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 462-3829

telephone

[1] (202) 387-6101

Executive branch

President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); Prime Minister Raila Amolo ODINGA (since 17 April 2008); note - according to the 2008 powersharing agreement the role of the prime minister was not well defined; constitutionally, the president remains chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is charged with coordinating government business Cabinet appointed by the president and chaired by the prime minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held on 27 December 2007 (next to be held in March 2013); vice president appointed by the president; note - the new constitution sets elections for August 2011 but this date is expected to slip President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9%, other 3.4%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president and chaired by the prime minister, who is the leader of the largest party in parliament

chief of state

President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008);

election results

President Mwai KIBAKI reelected; percent of vote - Mwai KIBAKI 46%, Raila ODINGA 44%, Kalonzo MUSYOKA 9%, other 3.4%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving the largest number of votes in absolute terms, the presidential candidate must also win 25% or more of the vote in at least five of Kenya's seven provinces and one area to avoid a runoff; election last held on 27 December 2007 (next to be held in March 2013); vice president appointed by the president; note - the new constitution sets elections for August 2011 but this date is expected to slip

head of government

President Mwai KIBAKI (since 30 December 2002); Vice President Stephen Kalonzo MUSYOKA (since 10 January 2008); Prime Minister Raila Amolo ODINGA (since 17 April 2008); note - according to the 2008 powersharing agreement the role of the prime minister was not well defined; constitutionally, the president remains chief of state and head of government, but the prime minister is charged with coordinating government business

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center; black symbolizes the majority population, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green stands for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom

Government type

republic

Independence

12 December 1963 (from the UK)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (chief justice is appointed by the president); High Court; note - the constitution promulgated in August 2010 specifies three superior courts consisting of a Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and High Court, and three subordinate courts consisting of Magistrate courts, Kadhis courts (sentences according to Muslim law), and Courts Martial

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in High Court

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Bunge usually referred to as Parliament (224 seats; 210 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, 12 nominated members appointed by the president but selected by the parties in proportion to their parliamentary vote totals, 2 ex-officio members); note - the constitution promulgated in August 2010 changes the legislature to a bicameral parliament consisting of a 290 member National Assembly and a 94 member Senate; parliament members will serve five year terms last held on 27 December 2007 (next to be held in March 2013) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 99, PNU 46, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 35; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - ODM 6, PNU 3, ODM-K 2, KANU 1

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 99, PNU 46, ODM-K 16, KANU 14 other 35; ex-officio 2; seats appointed by the president - ODM 6, PNU 3, ODM-K 2, KANU 1

elections

last held on 27 December 2007 (next to be held in March 2013)

National anthem

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation) Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE adopted 1963; the anthem is based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

lyrics/music

Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE

name

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)

National holiday

Independence Day, 12 December (1963); Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963); Mashujaa Day, 20 October (2010)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI]; The National Party Alliance or TNA [Uhuru KENYATTA]; National Rainbow Coalition-Kenya or NARC-Kenya [Martha KARUA]; Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA]; Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]; Party of National Unity or PNU [Mwai KIBAKI]; United Republican Party or URP [William Ruto]; Wiper Democratic Movement or WDM [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Idris MOHAMMED]; Kenya Human Rights Commission [L. Muthoni WANYEKI]; Muslim Human Rights Forum [Ali-Amin KIMATHI]; National Muslim Leaders Forum or NAMLEF [Abdullahi ABDI]; Protestant National Council of Churches of Kenya or NCCK [Canon Peter Karanja MWANGI]; Roman Catholic and other Christian churches; Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Shaykh Abdul Gafur al-BUSAIDY] labor unions

other

labor unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs

Budget

$7.375 billion $9.3 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$9.3 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$7.375 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7% (31 December 2010 est.) NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18% (31 December 2012 est.) 15.05% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.948 billion (2012 est.) -$3.536 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$9.526 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $8.999 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.5 (2008 est.) 44.9 (1997)

Economy - overview

Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. Low infrastructure investment threatens Kenya's long-term position as the largest East African economy. In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. After some early progress in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support, the KIBAKI government was rocked by high-level graft scandals in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, the World Bank and IMF delayed loans pending action by the government on corruption. The international financial institutions and donors have since resumed lending, despite little action on the government's part to deal with corruption. Unemployment is very high. The country has experienced cronic budget deficits, inflationary pressures, and sharp currency depreciation - as a result of high food and fuel import prices. The discovery of oil in March 2012 provides an opportunity for Kenya to balance its growing trade deficit if the deposits are found to be commercially viable and Kenya is able to develop a port and pipeline to export its oil.

Exchange rates

Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 85.82 (2012 est.) 88.811 (2011 est.) 79.233 (2010 est.) 77.352 (2009) 68.358 (2008)

Exports

$5.942 billion (2012 est.) $5.787 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement

Exports - partners

Uganda 9.9%, Tanzania 9.6%, Netherlands 8.4%, UK 8.1%, US 6.2%, Egypt 4.9%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

24.2% 14.8% 61% (2012 est.)

agriculture

24.2%

industry

14.8%

services

61% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800 (2012 est.) $1,800 (2011 est.) $1,700 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.1% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.) 5.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$41.84 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$76.07 billion (2012 est.) $72.37 billion (2011 est.) $69.33 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.8% 37.8% (2005)

highest 10%

37.8% (2005)

lowest 10%

1.8%

Imports

$14.39 billion (2012 est.) $13.83 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Imports - partners

China 15.3%, India 13.8%, UAE 10.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.3%, South Africa 5.5%, Japan 4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.1% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.1% (2012 est.) 14% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

18.89 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75% 25% (2007 est.)

agriculture

75%

industry and services

25% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$10.2 billion (31 December 2011) $14.46 billion (31 December 2010) $10.76 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

50% (2000 est.)

Public debt

50% of GDP (2012 est.) 50.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.396 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.893 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$21.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $17.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$320 million (31 December 2012 est.) $300 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.018 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.626 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$20.03 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $18.25 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$9.279 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.32 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

17.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

40% (2008 est.) 40% (2001 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

12.25 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

32,560 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.516 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

27 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

43.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

43.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

12.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

38 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.706 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

6.573 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

79,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1,065 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

34,990 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

30,960 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

about a half-dozen privately-owned TV stations and a state-owned TV broadcaster that operates 2 channels; satellite and cable TV subscription services available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; a large number of private radio stations, including provincial stations broadcasting in local languages; transmissions of several international broadcasters available (2007)

Internet country code

.ke

Internet hosts

71,018 (2012)

Internet users

3.996 million (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 65 per 100 persons in 2011 country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat

domestic

sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 65 per 100 persons in 2011

general assessment

inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system

international

country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat

Telephones - main lines in use

283,500 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

28.08 million (2011)

Airports

194 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

4

total

15

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

55 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

914 to 1,523 m

110

total

179

under 914 m

55 (2012)

Merchant marine

5 (Comoros 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

5 (Comoros 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)

Pipelines

oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Kisumu, Mombasa

Railways

2,066 km 2,066 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

2,066 km

Roadways

160,886 km 11,197 km 149,689 km (2008)

total

160,886 km

unpaved

149,689 km (2008)

Waterways

none specifically the only significant inland waterway in the country is the part of Lake Victoria within the boundaries of Kenya; Kisumu is the main port and has ferry connections to Uganda and Tanzania (2011)

Manpower available for military service

9,768,140 9,466,257 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

9,466,257 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

9,768,140

Manpower fit for military service

6,361,268 6,106,870 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,106,870 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,361,268

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

422,104 416,927 (2010 est.)

female

416,927 (2010 est.)

male

422,104

Military branches

Kenya Defence Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy (2012)

Kenya Defence Forces

Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy (2012)

Military expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for male and female voluntary service (under 18 with parental consent), with a 9-year obligation (7 years for Kenyan Navy); applicants must be Kenyan citizens and provide a national identity card (obtained at age 18) and a school-leaving certificate; women serve under the same terms and conditions as men; mandatory retirement at age 55 (2010)

Disputes - international

Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005; Kenya provides shelter to almost a quarter million refugees, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army rebels; Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; the boundary that separates Kenya's and Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the "Ilemi Triangle," which Kenya has administered since colonial times

Illicit drugs

widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa; significant potential for money-laundering activity given the country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption, and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities

Refugees and internally displaced persons

520,400 (Somalia); 34,800 (South Sudan); 34,000 (Ethiopia); 11,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,000 (Sudan) (2012) at least 300,000 (2007-2008 post-election violence; the status of the estimated 300,000 IDPs from the 2007-08 post-election violence who found refuge in host communities rather than camps - and IDPs displaced through natural disasters, drought, development and environmental projects, land disputes, cattle rustling, and inter-communal violence - is not captured in Kenya's national database; in 2012, inter-communal violence displaced approximately 118,000 people and floods displaced an estimated 100,000) (2012)

IDPs

at least 300,000 (2007-2008 post-election violence; the status of the estimated 300,000 IDPs from the 2007-08 post-election violence who found refuge in host communities rather than camps - and IDPs displaced through natural disasters, drought, development and environmental projects, land disputes, cattle rustling, and inter-communal violence - is not captured in Kenya's national database; in 2012, inter-communal violence displaced approximately 118,000 people and floods displaced an estimated 100,000) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

520,400 (Somalia); 34,800 (South Sudan); 34,000 (Ethiopia); 11,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,000 (Sudan) (2012)