2017 Edition

Background

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make 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, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which approximately 1,100 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 in March 2013. Uhuru KENYATTA won the election and was sworn into office in April 2013; he began a second term in November 2017.

Area

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

land

569,140 sq km

total

580,367 sq km

water

11,227 sq km

Area - comparative

five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Climate

varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Coastline

536 km

Elevation

762 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

mean elevation

762 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

3,457 km Ethiopia 867 km, Somalia 684 km, South Sudan 317 km, Tanzania 775 km, Uganda 814 km

border countries (5)

Ethiopia 867 km, Somalia 684 km, South Sudan 317 km, Tanzania 775 km, Uganda 814 km

total

3,457 km

Land use

48.1% arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 0.9%; permanent pasture 37.4% 6.1% 45.8% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

48.1%

forest

6.1%

other

45.8% (2011 est.)

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 (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

volcanism

limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (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

Population - distribution

population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast

Terrain

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

Age structure

40.02% (male 9,557,274/female 9,497,870) 19.15% (male 4,552,448/female 4,567,894) 33.91% (male 8,170,264/female 7,976,751) 3.92% (male 856,092/female 1,009,075) 3% (male 614,751/female 813,320) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

40.02% (male 9,557,274/female 9,497,870)

15-24 years

19.15% (male 4,552,448/female 4,567,894)

25-54 years

33.91% (male 8,170,264/female 7,976,751)

55-64 years

3.92% (male 856,092/female 1,009,075)

65 years and over

3% (male 614,751/female 813,320) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

23.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

11% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

66.3% (2015)

Death rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at just over 3 children today. Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017.

Dependency ratios

78.3 73.7 4.6 21.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.6

potential support ratio

21.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

78.3

youth dependency ratio

73.7

Drinking water source

urban: 81.6% of population rural: 56.8% of population total: 63.2% of population urban: 18.4% of population rural: 43.2% of population total: 36.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

43.2% of population

total

36.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

18.4% of population

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2015)

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

5.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

5.4% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

36,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1.6 million (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

37.1 deaths/1,000 live births 41.5 deaths/1,000 live births 32.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

32.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

41.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

37.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

64.3 years 62.8 years 65.8 years (2017 est.)

female

65.8 years (2017 est.)

male

62.8 years

total population

64.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 78% 81.1% 74.9% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

74.9% (2015 est.)

male

81.1%

total population

78%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever schistosomiasis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very 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) 3.915 million; Mombassa 1.104 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

510 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

19.7 years 19.6 years 19.9 years (2017 est.)

female

19.9 years (2017 est.)

male

19.6 years

total

19.7 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)

Nationality

Kenyan(s) Kenyan

adjective

Kenyan

noun

Kenyan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.1% (2016)

Physicians density

0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

47,615,739 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 (July 2017 est.)

note

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 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast

Population growth rate

1.69% (2017 est.)

Religions

Christian 83% (Protestant 47.7%, Catholic 23.4%, other Christian 11.9%), Muslim 11.2%, Traditionalists 1.7%, other 1.6%, none 2.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 31.2% of population rural: 29.7% of population total: 30.1% of population urban: 68.8% of population rural: 70.3% of population total: 69.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

70.3% of population

total

69.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

68.8% 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 0.84 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.98 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

26.5% of total population (2017) 4.15% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.15% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

26.5% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya yes 4 out of the previous 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

4 out of the previous 7 years

Constitution

previous 1963, 1969; latest drafted 6 May 2010, passed by referendum 4 August 2010, promulgated 27 August 2010 proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% participation of eligible voters in at least one-half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president (2017)

amendments

proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% participation of eligible voters in at least one-half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president (2017)

history

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

Country name

Republic of Kenya Kenya Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya Kenya British East Africa named for Mount Kenya; the meaning of the name is unclear but may derive from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Kamba words "kirinyaga," "kirenyaa," and "kiinyaa" - all of which mean "God's resting place"

conventional long form

Republic of Kenya

conventional short form

Kenya

etymology

named for Mount Kenya; the meaning of the name is unclear but may derive from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Kamba words "kirinyaga," "kirenyaa," and "kiinyaa" - all of which mean "God's resting place"

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) United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P.O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621 American Embassy Nairobi, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-8900 [254] (20) 363-6000 [254] (20) 363-6157

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 16 January 2013)

embassy

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

FAX

[254] (20) 363-6157

mailing address

American Embassy Nairobi, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-8900

telephone

[254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Robinson Njeru GITHAE (since 18 November 2014) 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 Robinson Njeru GITHAE (since 18 November 2014)

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 chief of state and head of government President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - position of the prime minister abolished after the March 2013 elections Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving an absolute majority popular vote, the presidential candidate must also win at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties to avoid a runoff; election last held on 26 October 2017 (next to be held in 2022) Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president in vote held 26 October 2017; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (Jubilee Party) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential electin on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly

chief of state

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

election results

Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president in vote held 26 October 2017; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (Jubilee Party) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential electin on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote

elections/appointments

president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving an absolute majority popular vote, the presidential candidate must also win at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties to avoid a runoff; election last held on 26 October 2017 (next to be held in 2022)

head of government

President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - position of the prime minister 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

presidential 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, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges) chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointed by president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JSC and appointed by president; chief justice serves a nonrenewable 10-year term or till age 70 whichever comes first; other judges serve till age 70 High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office

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

subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; 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 the Senate (67 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, and 2 representing the disabled; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (349 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2021) Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 24; National Super Alliance 28, other 14, independent 1 National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 140, National Super Alliance 62, other 118

description

bicameral parliament consists of the Senate (67 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, and 2 representing the disabled; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly (349 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 24; National Super Alliance 28, other 14, independent 1

elections

last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2021)

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; 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)

note

adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

National holiday

Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: black, red, green, white

lion; national colors

black, red, green, white

Political parties and leaders

Alliance Party of Kenya or APK [Kiraitu MURUNGI] Amani National Congress [Musalia MUDAVADI] Federal Party of Kenya or FPK [Cyrus JIRONGA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-K [Moses WETANGULA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-P [Henry OBWOCHA] Jubilee Party [Uhuru KENYATTA] Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI] National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Charity NGILU] National Super Alliance (includes ODM, ANC, WDM-K, FORD-K) [Raila ODINGA] Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya or ODM [Raila ODINGA] Wiper Democratic Movement-K or WDM-K (formerly Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K) [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

African Center for Open Governance or AfriCOG [Gladwell OTIENO] Anglican Church of Kenya [Archbishop Jackson Nasoore Ole SAPIT] Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Mohammed KHALIFA] Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya Kenya Association of Manufacturers Kenya Human Rights Commission or KHRC [George KEGORO] Kenya Private Sector Alliance Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (umbrella group of more than 30 NGOs) 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 Church [Cardinal John NJUE] Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims or SUPKEM [Adan WACHU] labor unions, other Christian churches

other

labor unions, other Christian churches

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$15.37 billion $20.18 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures

$20.18 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

$15.37 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11.5% (20 January 2016) 7% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.3% (31 December 2017 est.) 16.58% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.75 billion (2017 est.) -$3.653 billion (2016 est.)

Debt - external

$24.99 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $22.6 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.5 (2008 est.) 44.9 (1997)

Economy - overview

Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last eight years. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic and development trajectory could be impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 44.2 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth to the 8%-10% range so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's economic growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market. Kenya issued its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014. Nairobi has contracted with a Chinese company to construct a new standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi, with completion expected in June 2017. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties. Inflationary pressures and sharp currency depreciation peaked in early 2012 but have since abated following low global food and fuel prices and monetary interventions by the Central Bank. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country have pushed 2017 inflation above 8%. Chronic budget deficits, including a shortage of funds in mid-2015, hampered the government’s ability to implement proposed development programs, but the economy is back in balance with many indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, and FDI moving in the right direction. Underlying weaknesses were exposed in the banking sector in 2016 when the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks. In 2016, the government enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. Tourism holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. A spate of terrorist attacks by the Somalia-based group al-Shabaab reduced international tourism earning after their deadly 2013 attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall, which killed 67 people, but the sector is now recovering. In 2016, tourist arrivals grew by 17% while revenues from tourism increased by 37%.

Exchange rates

Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 104 (2017 est.) 101.504 (2016 est.) 101.504 (2015 est.) 98.179 (2014 est.) 87.921 (2013 est.)

Exports

$6.397 billion (2017 est.) $5.747 billion (2016 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Uganda 10.1%, Tanzania 8.6%, US 7.7%, Netherlands 7.4%, UK 7.3%, UAE 4.6%, Pakistan 4.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition, by end use

77% 13.7% 17.1% -0.1% 13.9% -21.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services

13.9%

government consumption

13.7%

household consumption

77%

imports of goods and services

-21.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

17.1%

investment in inventories

-0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

35% 17.6% 47.7% (2017 est.)

agriculture

35%

industry

17.6%

services

47.7% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,500 (2017 est.) $3,400 (2016 est.) $3,300 (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2017 est.) 5.8% (2016 est.) 5.7% (2015 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$78.4 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$163.4 billion (2017 est.) $155.6 billion (2016 est.) $147 billion (2015 est.) data are in 2017 dollars

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gross national saving

15.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 15.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 10.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.8% 37.8% (2005)

highest 10%

37.8% (2005)

lowest 10%

1.8%

Imports

$14.52 billion (2017 est.) $13.64 billion (2016 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 24.1%, India 11.2%, UAE 7.7%, Japan 5.4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2017 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)

8% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.)

Labor force

19.82 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

61.1% 6.7% 32.2% (2005 est.)

agriculture

61.1%

industry

6.7%

services

32.2% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$26.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $22.09 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $14.79 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

43.4% (2012 est.)

Public debt

52.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$7.592 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.601 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money

$29.29 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $22.86 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA (31 December 2017 est.) $NA (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.196 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $5.317 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$36.59 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $29.88 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$13.03 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $12.77 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

40% (2013 est.) 40% (2001 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

13 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

11,870 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

7.666 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

45 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

31.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

35.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

53.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

67 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.301 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

9.548 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

35,400,000 20% 60% 7% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

7% (2013)

electrification - total population

20%

electrification - urban areas

60%

population without electricity

35,400,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

93,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

345.2 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

76,090 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

14,320 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

about a half-dozen large-scale privately owned media companies with TV and radio stations, as well as a state-owned TV broadcaster, provide service nationwide; 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; many private radio stations broadcast on a national level along with over 100 private and non-profit provincial stations broadcasting in local languages; transmissions of several international broadcasters available (2014)

Internet country code

.ke

Internet users

12,165,597 26.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

26.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

12,165,597

Telephone system

the mobile-cellular system is generally good, especially is urban areas; 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, privatized in 2013 and is now 60% owned by Helios Investment Partners, a London-based equity fund, and 40% owned by the Kenyan Government; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 83 per 100 persons in 2016 country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2016)

domestic

sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, privatized in 2013 and is now 60% owned by Helios Investment Partners, a London-based equity fund, and 40% owned by the Kenyan Government; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 83 per 100 persons in 2016

general assessment

the mobile-cellular system is generally good, especially is urban areas; 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

72,801 less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

72,801

Telephones - mobile cellular

38,982,188 83 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

83 (July 2016 est.)

total

38,982,188

Airports

197 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

60 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

914 to 1,523 m

107

total

181

under 914 m

60 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5Y (2016)

Merchant marine

oil tanker 2, other 18 (2017)

by type

oil tanker 2, other 18 (2017)

total

20

National air transport system

4,874,590 286,414,683 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

286,414,683 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

4,874,590

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

106

number of registered air carriers

16

Pipelines

oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Kisumu, Mombasa Mombasa

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Mombasa

major seaport(s)

Kisumu, Mombasa

Railways

3,806 km 3,334 km 1.000-m gauge 472 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

3,334 km 1.000-m gauge

standard gauge

472 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

total

3,806 km

Roadways

161,452 km 14,420 km (8,500 km highways, 1,872 urban roads, and 4,048 rural roads) 147,032 km (2017)

paved

14,420 km (8,500 km highways, 1,872 urban roads, and 4,048 rural roads)

total

161,452 km

unpaved

147,032 km (2017)

Waterways

none specifically; the only significant inland waterway 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)

Military branches

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

Kenya Defence Forces

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

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2017) 1.32% of GDP (2016) 1.32% of GDP (2015) 1.33% of GDP (2014) 1.56% of GDP (2013)

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 an estimated 580,000 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

285,705 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers); 111,361 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers); 35,490 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers); 27,979 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers); 12,759 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers); 9,962 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2017) 138,000 (represents people displaced since the 1990s by ethnic and political violence and land disputes and who sought refuge mostly in camps; persons who took refuge in host communities or were evicted in urban areas are not included in the data; data is not available on pastoralists displaced by cattle rustling, violence, natural disasters, and development projects; the largest displacement resulted from 2007-08 post-election violence (2016) 20,000 (2016); note - the stateless population consists 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; Nubians 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 included with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards

IDPs

138,000 (represents people displaced since the 1990s by ethnic and political violence and land disputes and who sought refuge mostly in camps; persons who took refuge in host communities or were evicted in urban areas are not included in the data; data is not available on pastoralists displaced by cattle rustling, violence, natural disasters, and development projects; the largest displacement resulted from 2007-08 post-election violence (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

285,705 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers); 111,361 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers); 35,490 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers); 27,979 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers); 12,759 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers); 9,962 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2017)

stateless persons

20,000 (2016); note - the stateless population consists 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; Nubians 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 included with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards

Terrorist groups - foreign based

aim(s): drive US Government personnel, US business people, and other US influences out of Kenya and, ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation area(s) of operation: maintains a limited presence; on 7 August 1998, operatives detonated truck bombs that exploded and killed and injured scores of workers and severely damaged the US Embassy in Nairobi, killing approximately 213 people and injuring a few thousand others; almost all of the dead and injured were Kenyans aim(s): avenge Kenya's 2011 decision to send troops to Somalia to combat al-Shabaab; establish Islamic rule in Kenya and Somalia's border regions area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence, mostly in the northeast; on 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed Garissa University and shot and killed 148 people and injured approximately 80; gunmen took over 700 students hostage and killed those who identified as Christian, making it one of Kenya's deadliest attacks; on 21 September 2013, at the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, gunmen injured 200 people and killed six soldiers and police officers and approximately 65 civilians, including foreign nationals from 13 countries; leadership claimed the attack on the mall was in retaliation for Kenya's support for the African Union Mission for Somalia, a regional peacekeeping force operated by the African Union with the approval of the UN

aim(s)

avenge Kenya's 2011 decision to send troops to Somalia to combat al-Shabaab; establish Islamic rule in Kenya and Somalia's border regions

area(s) of operation

maintains an operational and recruitment presence, mostly in the northeast; on 2 April 2015, gunmen stormed Garissa University and shot and killed 148 people and injured approximately 80; gunmen took over 700 students hostage and killed those who identified as Christian, making it one of Kenya's deadliest attacks; on 21 September 2013, at the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, gunmen injured 200 people and killed six soldiers and police officers and approximately 65 civilians, including foreign nationals from 13 countries; leadership claimed the attack on the mall was in retaliation for Kenya's support for the African Union Mission for Somalia, a regional peacekeeping force operated by the African Union with the approval of the UN