Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 580,367 sq km
country comparison to the world: 49
land: 569,140 sq km
water: 11,227 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,477 km
border countries: Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, South Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
536 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 9.48%
permanent crops: 1.12%
other: 89.4% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,032 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.7 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2.74 cu km/yr (17%/4%/79%)
per capita: 72.96 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons
volcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (elev. 1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Kenyan(s)
adjective: Kenyan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44,037,656 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
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
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 81.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 76.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 %
potential support ratio: 20.6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18.9 years
male: 18.8 years
female: 19 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.27% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.08 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 24% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 4.36% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NAIROBI (capital) 3.375 million; Mombassa 966,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
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
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.8
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
360 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 30
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 42.18 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 51
male: 46.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 37.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 63.29 years
country comparison to the world: 180
male: 61.84 years
female: 64.77 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.76 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45.5% (2008/09)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 151
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.5 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 171
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.4% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 47
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 25
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.4%
male: 90.6%
female: 84.2% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2009)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 2,146,058
percentage: 26 % (2000 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
local long form: Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya
local short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Nairobi
geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 December 1963 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 12 December (1963); Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963); Mashujaa Day, 20 October (2010)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1963, 1969; latest drafted 6 May 2010, passed by referendum 4 August 2010, promulgated 27 August 2010 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
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: Cabinet appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
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%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral parliament consists of a Senate (67 seats) and a National Assembly (349 seats); members to serve five-year terms
elections: last held on 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Jubilee coalition TNA 17, URP 12, NARC 1; CORD coalition ODM 17, Ford-K 5, WDM 5, FPK 1; Amani coalition KANU 3, UDF 3; unaffiliated APK 3; 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
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Federal Party of Kenya or FPK
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya or CIPK [Sheikh Idris MOHAMMED]
other: labor unions, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Elkanah ODEMBO Absalom (since 27 July 2010)
chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831
telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000
FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lion
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)
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
note: adopted 1963; the anthem is based on a traditional Kenyan folk song
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$75 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40.15 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 79.8%
government consumption: 17.2%
investment in fixed capital: 20.4%
investment in inventories: -0.3%
exports of goods and services: 27.3%
imports of goods and services: -44.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 29.3%
industry: 17.4%
services: 53.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.11 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 75%
industry and services: 25% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
42.5 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $7.418 billion
expenditures: $9.485 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-5.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.4% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.7% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.264 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$21.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.93 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$10.2 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 67
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-4.31 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.228 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
India 20.9%, China 15.4%, UAE 9.8%, Saudi Arabia 6.9% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.712 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.06 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.877 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$315.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.33 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.15 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.698 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 147
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32,240 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79,410 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,266 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 153
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.62 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
251,600 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 124
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.732 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 33
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
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
international: country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ke
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
71,018 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 88
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.996 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 59
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
197 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 28
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 181
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 107
under 914 m:
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,066 km
country comparison to the world: 71
narrow gauge: 2,066 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 160,878 km
country comparison to the world: 30
paved: 11,189 km
unpaved: 149,689 km
note: includes 98.941 km of urban and other roads (2013)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
registered in other countries: 5 (Comoros 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 124
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Kisumu, Mombasa
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kenya Defence Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force, Kenya Navy (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 9,768,140
females age 16-49: 9,466,257 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 6,361,268
females age 16-49: 6,106,870 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 422,104
female: 416,927 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.96% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 131
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 477,491 (Somalia); 46,191 (South Sudan); 31,682 (Ethiopia); 14,614 (Democratic Republic of Congo); 7,987 (Sudan) (2014)
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)
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)