2013 Edition

Background

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel 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. African Union-sponsored mediation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi ANNAN in late February 2008 resulted in a power-sharing accord bringing ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform. In August 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and significant devolution of power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister following the first presidential election under the new constitution, which occurred on 4 March 2013. Uhuru KENYATTA, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, won the March elections in the first round by a close margin and was sworn into office on 9 April 2013.

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)

2.74 cu km/yr (17%/4%/79%) 72.96 cu m/yr (2003)

per capita

72.96 cu m/yr (2003)

total

2.74 cu km/yr (17%/4%/79%)

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

1,032 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

9.48% 1.12% 89.4% (2011)

arable land

9.48%

other

89.4% (2011)

permanent crops

1.12%

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

30.7 cu km (2011)

Age structure

42.4% (male 9,357,084/female 9,299,586) 18.8% (male 4,148,153/female 4,147,896) 32.4% (male 7,210,891/female 7,070,217) 3.6% (male 719,374/female 876,458) 2.7% (male 529,873/female 678,124) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

42.4% (male 9,357,084/female 9,299,586)

15-24 years

18.8% (male 4,148,153/female 4,147,896)

25-54 years

32.4% (male 7,210,891/female 7,070,217)

55-64 years

3.6% (male 719,374/female 876,458)

65 years and over

2.7% (male 529,873/female 678,124) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

30.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

2,146,058 26 % (2000 est.)

percentage

26 % (2000 est.)

total number

2,146,058

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

16.4% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

45.5% (2008/09)

Death rate

7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

81.5 % 76.6 % 4.9 % 20.6 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

4.9 %

potential support ratio

20.6 (2013)

total dependency ratio

81.5 %

youth dependency ratio

76.6 %

Drinking water source

urban: 82% of population rural: 52% of population total: 59% of population urban: 18% of population rural: 48% of population total: 41% of population (2010 est.)

rural

48% of population

total

41% of population (2010 est.)

urban

18% of population

Education expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2010)

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

4.5% of GDP (2011)

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 (2010)

Infant mortality rate

42.18 deaths/1,000 live births 46.89 deaths/1,000 live births 37.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

37.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

42.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

63.29 years 61.84 years 64.77 years (2013 est.)

female

64.77 years (2013 est.)

total population

63.29 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 infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever schistosomiasis rabies (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies (2013)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

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

Maternal mortality rate

360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.9 years 18.8 years 19 years (2013 est.)

female

19 years (2013 est.)

male

18.8 years

total

18.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.8 Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

Nationality

Kenyan(s) Kenyan

adjective

Kenyan

noun

Kenyan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.2% (2008)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

44,037,656 (July 2013 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

2.27% (2013 est.)

Religions

Christian 82.5% (Protestant 47.4%, Catholic 23.3%, other 11.8%), Muslim 11.1%, Traditionalists 1.6%, other 1.7%, none 2.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 32% of population rural: 32% of population total: 32% of population urban: 68% of population rural: 68% of population total: 68% of population (2010 est.)

rural

68% of population

total

68% of population (2010 est.)

urban

68% 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 1.02 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.82 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.76 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

24% of total population (2011) 4.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

24% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita/Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir, West Pokot

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

previous 1963, 1969; latest drafted 6 May 2010, passed by referendum 4 August 2010, promulgated 27 August 2010 (2013)

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 (since 16 January 2013) 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) 363-6157

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 16 January 2013)

embassy

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

FAX

[254] (20) 363-6157

mailing address

Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831

telephone

[254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Elkanah ODEMBO Absalom (since 27 July 2010) 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 (since 27 July 2010)

consulate(s)

New York

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 462-3829

telephone

[1] (202) 387-6101

Executive branch

President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - according to the 2008 power sharing agreement the role of prime minister was created though not well defined, following the new constitution the position was abolished after the March 2013 elections Cabinet appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving a simple majority of votes, 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 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2018); vice president appointed by the president; note - the new constitution had set elections for August 2011 but elections were delayed to 2013 President Uhuru KENYATTA elected in first round; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA 50.5%, Raila ODINGA 43.7%, Musalia MUDAVADI 4.0%, other 1.8%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

President Uhuru KENYATTA elected in first round; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA 50.5%, Raila ODINGA 43.7%, Musalia MUDAVADI 4.0%, other 1.8%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving a simple majority of votes, 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 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2018); vice president appointed by the president; note - the new constitution had set elections for August 2011 but elections were delayed to 2013

head of government

President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - according to the 2008 power sharing agreement the role of prime minister was created though not well defined, following the new constitution the position was abolished after the March 2013 elections

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

Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and five judges) chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JCS) and appointed by president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JCS and appointed by president; chief justice serves nonrenewable 10-year terms or till age 70 whichever comes first; other judges serve till age 70 High Court; Court of Appeal; courts martial; magistrates' courts; religious courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and five judges)

judge selection and term of office

chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JCS) and appointed by president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JCS and appointed by president; chief justice serves nonrenewable 10-year terms or till age 70 whichever comes first; other judges serve till age 70

subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Appeal; courts martial; magistrates' courts; religious courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in a new Supreme Court established pursuant to the new constitution

Legislative branch

bicameral parliament consists of a Senate (67 seats) and a National Assembly (349 seats); members to serve five-year terms last held on 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 96, TNA 89, URP 75, WDM-K 26, UDF 12, FORD-K 10, KANU 6, NFK 6, APK 5, FORD-P 4, Independents 4, other 16 National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 96, TNA 89, URP 75, WDM-K 26, UDF 12, FORD-K 10, KANU 6, NFK 6, APK 5, FORD-P 4, Independents 4, other 16

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 96, TNA 89, URP 75, WDM-K 26, UDF 12, FORD-K 10, KANU 6, NFK 6, APK 5, FORD-P 4, Independents 4, other 16 National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODM 96, TNA 89, URP 75, WDM-K 26, UDF 12, FORD-K 10, KANU 6, NFK 6, APK 5, FORD-P 4, Independents 4, other 16

elections

last held on 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

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 of Kenya or ODM [Raila ODINGA] Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA] Party of National Unity or PNU [Mwai KIBAKI] United Democratic Forum Party or UDF [Musalia MUDAVADI] 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, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance

other

labor unions, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$7.418 billion $9.485 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$9.485 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$7.418 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

19.7% (31 December 2012 est.) 15.05% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-4.31 billion (2012 est.) $-3.333 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$11.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.26 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 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 chronic 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 - 84.53 (2012 est.) 88.81 (2011 est.) 79.23 (2010 est.) 77.35 (2009) 68.36 (2008)

Exports

$6.228 billion (2012 est.) $5.792 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Uganda 10.3%, Tanzania 10%, Netherlands 7.7%, UK 7.2%, US 6.3%, Egypt 4.8%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

79.8% 17.2% 20.4% -0.3% 27.3% -44.5% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

27.3%

government consumption

17.2%

household consumption

79.8%

imports of goods and services

-44.5%

investment in fixed capital

20.4%

investment in inventories

-0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

29.3% 17.4% 53.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

29.3%

industry

17.4%

services

53.6% (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

4.6% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.) 5.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$40.15 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$75 billion (2012 est.) $71.73 billion (2011 est.) $68.72 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

9.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 10.8% of GDP (2011 est.) 12.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.8% 37.8% (2005)

highest 10%

37.8% (2005)

lowest 10%

1.8%

Imports

$15.1 billion (2012 est.) $14.16 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

India 20.9%, China 15.4%, UAE 9.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.9% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4.5% (2012 est.)

Industries

small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

9.4% (2012 est.) 14% (2011 est.)

Labor force

19.11 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

52.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 53.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.712 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.265 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

$315.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) $299.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$2.877 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.618 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$20.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $18.25 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$8.264 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.32 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

12.62 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

31,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

6.15 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

31 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

41.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

44.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

13.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

31 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.698 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

7.33 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

79,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

1,266 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

52,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

32,240 bbl/day (2010 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 (2011)

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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

251,600 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

30.732 million (2012)

Airports

197 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

5

total

16

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

60 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

914 to 1,523 m

107

total

181

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 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Kisumu, Mombasa

Railways

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

total

2,066 km

Roadways

160,878 km 11,189 km 149,689 km includes 98.941 km of urban and other roads (2013)

total

160,878 km

unpaved

149,689 km

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

1.8% of GDP (2012)

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 (2012)

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

34,800 (South Sudan); 34,000 (Ethiopia); 11,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,000 (Sudan) (2012); 474,226 (Somalia) (2013) at least 300,000 (2007-08 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) 20,000 (2012); note - the stateless population is composed of Nubians, Kenyan Somalis, and coastal Arabs; the Nubians are descendants of Sudanese soldiers recruited by the British to fight for them in East Africa more than a century ago; they did not receive Kenyan citizenship when the country became independent in 1963; only recently have Nubians become a formally recognized tribe and had less trouble obtaining national IDs; Galjeel and other Somalis who have lived in Kenya for decades are lumped in with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards

IDPs

at least 300,000 (2007-08 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)

34,800 (South Sudan); 34,000 (Ethiopia); 11,500 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 6,000 (Sudan) (2012); 474,226 (Somalia) (2013)

stateless persons

20,000 (2012); note - the stateless population is composed of Nubians, Kenyan Somalis, and coastal Arabs; the Nubians are descendants of Sudanese soldiers recruited by the British to fight for them in East Africa more than a century ago; they did not receive Kenyan citizenship when the country became independent in 1963; only recently have Nubians become a formally recognized tribe and had less trouble obtaining national IDs; Galjeel and other Somalis who have lived in Kenya for decades are lumped in with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards

Trafficking in persons

Kenya is a source, transit, and destination country for adults and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Kenyan children are forced to work in domestic service, agriculture, fishing, cattle herding, street vending, begging, and prostitution; Kenyan economic migrants to other East African countries, South Sudan, Europe, the US, and the Middle East are at times exploited in domestic servitude, massage parlors or brothels, or forced manual labor; children from Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are subjected to forced labor and prostitution in Kenya; Somali refugees living in the Dadaab complex may be forced into prostitution or work on tobacco farms Tier 2 Watch List - Kenya does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government enacted the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act in October 2012 but has not launched and implemented its national plan of action, convened the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Advisory Committee, taken tangible action against trafficking complicity among law enforcement officials, provided shelter and other protective services for adult victims, monitor the work of overseas labor recruitment agencies, or provide wide-scale anti-trafficking training to its officials; efforts to assist and care for child victims remain strong; corruption among officials continue to hamper efforts to bring traffickers to justice (2013)

current situation

Kenya is a source, transit, and destination country for adults and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Kenyan children are forced to work in domestic service, agriculture, fishing, cattle herding, street vending, begging, and prostitution; Kenyan economic migrants to other East African countries, South Sudan, Europe, the US, and the Middle East are at times exploited in domestic servitude, massage parlors or brothels, or forced manual labor; children from Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are subjected to forced labor and prostitution in Kenya; Somali refugees living in the Dadaab complex may be forced into prostitution or work on tobacco farms

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Kenya does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government enacted the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act in October 2012 but has not launched and implemented its national plan of action, convened the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Advisory Committee, taken tangible action against trafficking complicity among law enforcement officials, provided shelter and other protective services for adult victims, monitor the work of overseas labor recruitment agencies, or provide wide-scale anti-trafficking training to its officials; efforts to assist and care for child victims remain strong; corruption among officials continue to hamper efforts to bring traffickers to justice (2013)