KENYA COUNTRY INFOMATION

Geographic Description
Kenya is in East Africa. It borders the Indian Ocean, and the countries of Sudan and Ethiopia (north), Uganda (west), Tanzania (south), and Somalia (east). It covers 582, 650 square kilometers and is just over twice the size of Nevada.

It has a wide diversity of ecological zones and wildlife. Physical features vary from low plains to mountains (the highest of which is Mount Kenya at just over 16,000 feet), and from rich fertile highland zones to semi-arid lands. The northern and eastern portions of the country are particularly subject to periodic drought and famine.
There are 844 species of birds and 359 species of mammals. The country’s interesting birds include flamingos, Ostriches, and Storks. Its mammals include elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, and hyena, among many others. Endangered mammals are Grevy’s Zebra, Black Rhino, and cheetas.

Major Cities: Nairobi (capital, population 1,346,000), Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Meru, Thika, Kitale, Kisii, Kericho, and Malindi.

Political
Colonial Government: Great Britain
Independence Gained: December 12, 1963
Type of Government: Republic
President: President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi.
Next Election: 2003
Economy
GDP—real growth rate: 1.5% (1999 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity: $1,600 (1999 est.)
GDP composition: agriculture (26%), coffee, tea, and horticultural products (50%), tourism
(19%), industrial sector (19%)
Population below poverty line: 42% (1992 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%= 1.2%; highest 10%= 47.7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate: 50% (1998 est.)
Exports (commodities): tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products (1995)
Imports (commodities): machinery and transportation equipment (64% of total), petroleum
products, iron and steel (1995)
Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports: $3.3 billion (f.o.b. 1999 est.)
External Debt: $6.5 billion (1998)

Demographics
Population Estimate: 30, 339, 770, composed of:
43% under 15 years
54% 15-64 years
3% 65+ years
Infant Mortality Rate: 68.74/1,000 live births
Total Fertility Rate: 3.66 children/woman
Risk Factors and Diseases include inadequate access to sanitation and water, and HIV.
Ethnic Groups: Kikuyu (22%), Luhya (14%), Luo (13%), Kalenjin (12%), Kamba (11%), Kisii
(6%), Meru (6%), other African (including Maasai and Samburu—15%), non-African
(Asian, European, and Arab—1%).
Languages: English, Kiswahili, and numerous languages used by individual ethnic groups
including Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, Meru, Maa (dialects spoken by
Maasai, Samburu, among others), etc.
Religions: Protestant (38%), Roman Catholic (28%), indigenous beliefs (26%), Muslim (7%),
other (1%).
Refugees: Country of Asylum for 2,322,100 refugees. Country of Origin for 9,000 refugees.

Education
Adult Literacy: 80.5% (probably an over-estimate)
Female Illiteracy: 20%
Male Illiteracy: 12%