KENYA

Geography

Area 582,646 sq. km. Most people live in the fertile plateaus of the south and west. Much of the north and east is desert. Only 9.5% of the land is cultivated.

Population

2000       30,080,372

2010       35,204,705 (est)

2025       41,755,990 (est)

Peoples

122 ethno-linguistic groups. Bantu 68.2%. Nilotic 26%. Cushitic 3.2%. Khoisan 0.3%. South Asian 0.7%. Other 1.6%. Literacy 78%. Official languages: English, Swahili.

Economy

Predominately agricultural, light industries, and a major tourist industry. Post-independence stability aided good growth until 1976. Recession, foreign debt and mismanagement have eroded growth. The elite has little interest other than in retaining power and amassing wealth. Corruption is endemic and it is gradually ruining the infrastructure, devastating whole industries and drying up the flow of tourists and foreign finance. A large landless, poor underclass is becoming increasingly restive and violent. HIV/AIDS is widespread and the death rate is climbing with 14% of those aged 15-49 infected. Income/person: $340 (1.1% of USA).

Politics

Independent from Britain in 1963. Virtually a one-party state for much of the time since then, the government has successfully held foreign creditors at bay, subverted any opposition and marginalized the major ethnic groups -- the Kikuyu, Luo, and Luyia. Kenya's future is not good unless there is meaningful change.

Religion

There is full freedom of religion and much of the population professes to be Christian -- including many in leadership.

Demographic information from "Operation World".