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Africa :: KENYA
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KENYA

  • Geography :: KENYA

  • Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
    1 00 N, 38 00 E
    Africa
    total: 580,367 sq km
    land: 569,140 sq km
    water: 11,227 sq km
    country comparison to the world: 49
    five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
    Area comparison map:
    total: 3,457 km
    border countries (5): Ethiopia 867 km, Somalia 684 km, South Sudan 317 km, Tanzania 775 km, Uganda 814 km
    536 km
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
    varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
    low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
    mean elevation: 762 m
    elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
    limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
    agricultural land: 48.1%
    arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 0.9%; permanent pasture 37.4%
    forest: 6.1%
    other: 45.8% (2011 est.)
    1,030 sq km (2012)
    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
    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
    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
    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 :: KENYA

  • 46,790,758
    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 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 31
    noun: Kenyan(s)
    adjective: Kenyan
    Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
    English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
    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.)
    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 presently shelters nearly 400,000 Somali refugees.
    0-14 years: 40.87% (male 9,592,017/female 9,532,032)
    15-24 years: 18.83% (male 4,398,554/female 4,411,586)
    25-54 years: 33.54% (male 7,938,111/female 7,755,128)
    55-64 years: 3.84% (male 819,665/female 976,862)
    65 years and over: 2.92% (male 590,961/female 775,842) (2016 est.)
    population pyramid:
    total dependency ratio: 80.9%
    youth dependency ratio: 75.8%
    elderly dependency ratio: 5.1%
    potential support ratio: 19.7% (2015 est.)
    total: 19.5 years
    male: 19.4 years
    female: 19.6 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 199
    1.81% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 60
    25.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 51
    6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 137
    -0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 114
    urban population: 25.6% of total population (2015)
    rate of urbanization: 4.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
    NAIROBI (capital) 3.915 million; Mombassa 1.104 million (2015)
    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: 0.84 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
    total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
    20.3
    note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014 est.)
    510 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 30
    total: 38.3 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 42.7 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 33.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 50
    total population: 64 years
    male: 62.6 years
    female: 65.5 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 186
    3.14 children born/woman (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 53
    45.5% (2008/09)
    5.7% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 148
    0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
    1.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)
    improved:
    urban: 81.6% of population
    rural: 56.8% of population
    total: 63.2% of population
    unimproved:
    urban: 18.4% of population
    rural: 43.2% of population
    total: 36.8% of population (2015 est.)
    improved:
    urban: 31.2% of population
    rural: 29.7% of population
    total: 30.1% of population
    unimproved:
    urban: 68.8% of population
    rural: 70.3% of population
    total: 69.9% of population (2015 est.)
    5.91% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 13
    1,517,700 (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 8
    35,800 (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 9
    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
    animal contact disease: rabies (2016)
    5.9% (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 171
    11% (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 42
    5.3% of GDP (2015)
    country comparison to the world: 28
    definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 78%
    male: 81.1%
    female: 74.9% (2015 est.)
    total: 11 years
    male: 11 years
    female: 11 years (2009)

  • Government :: KENYA

  • 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
    etymolgy: 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"
    presidential republic
    name: Nairobi
    geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E
    time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
    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
    12 December 1963 (from the UK)
    Independence Day, 12 December (1963); Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963); Mashujaa Day (or Heroes' Day), 20 October (2010)
    previous 1963, 1969; latest drafted 6 May 2010, passed by referendum 4 August 2010, promulgated 27 August 2010 (2016)
    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
    accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
    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
    18 years of age; universal
    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
    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: Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly
    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 each of more than half of the 47 counties to avoid a runoff; election last held on 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
    election results: Uhuru KENYATTA elected president in first round; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (TNA) 50.1%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 43.7%, Musalia MUDAVADI (UDF) 4.0%, other 2.2%
    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)
    elections: last held on 4 March 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
    election results: Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Alliance 30 (TNA 17, URP 12, NARC 1); CORD Coalition 28 (ODM 17, FORD-K 5, WDM-K 5, other 1); Amani Coalition 6 (KANU 3, UDF 3), APK 3; National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Alliance 167 (TNA 89, URP 75, NARC 3), CORD Coalition 141 (ODM 96, WDM-K 26, FORD-K 10, other 9), Amani Coalition 24 (UDF 12, KANU 6, NFK 6), Eagle Coalition 2 (KNC 2), APK 5, FORD-P 4, independent 4, other 2
    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
    Alliance Party of Kenya or APK [Kiraitu MURUNGI]
    Amani National Congress [Musalia MUDAVADI]
    Coalition for Reforms and Democracy or CORD (includes ODM, WDM-K, FORD-K) [Raila ODINGA]
    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]
    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]
    African Center for Open Governance [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, secretary general]
    other: labor unions, other Christian churches
    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
    chief of mission: Ambassador Robinson GITHAE (since 18 November 2014)
    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
    chief of mission: Ambassador Robert F. GODEC (since 16 January 2013)
    embassy: United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P.O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621
    mailing address: American Embassy Nairobi, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-8900
    telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000
    FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157
    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
    lion; national colors: black, red, green, white
    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; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

  • Economy :: KENYA

  • Kenya is the economic and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last seven 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 faster growth, its economic and development trajectory is threatened by weak governance and corruption. Unemployment and under-employment are high, but reliable numbers are hard to find.
    Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing 25% of GDP. About 80% of Kenya’s population of roughly 42 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 economic growth to the 8-10% range so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration sought external investment in 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 2017. The country is in the process of devolving some 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. 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, inflation, and FDI moving in the right direction.
    Tourism holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. Multiple terror attacks by the Somalia-based group al-Shabaab in the time since the 2013 attack on Nairobi’s Westgate mall, which killed at least 67, had a negative effect on international tourism earnings, but the sector is starting to recover. Kenya’s success in hosting a series of incident-free high-profile events in the second half of 2015, including the visit of US President Obama, has helped improve the outlook for tourism.
    $152.7 billion (2016 est.)
    $144.1 billion (2015 est.)
    $136.4 billion (2014 est.)
    note: data are in 2016 dollars
    country comparison to the world: 75
    $69.17 billion (2015 est.)
    6% (2016 est.)
    5.6% (2015 est.)
    5.3% (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 24
    $3,400 (2016 est.)
    $3,300 (2015 est.)
    $3,200 (2014 est.)
    note: data are in 2016 dollars
    country comparison to the world: 185
    16.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
    12.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
    12.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 112
    household consumption: 77.6%
    government consumption: 14.2%
    investment in fixed capital: 21.3%
    investment in inventories: -0.3%
    exports of goods and services: 15.2%
    imports of goods and services: -28% (2016 est.)
    agriculture: 32.7%
    industry: 18%
    services: 49.3% (2016 est.)
    tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, fish, pork, poultry, eggs
    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
    6.6% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 21
    18.66 million (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 33
    agriculture: 75%
    industry and services: 25% (2011 est.)
    40% (2013 est.)
    40% (2001 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 196
    43.4% (2012 est.)
    lowest 10%: 1.8%
    highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)
    42.5 (2008 est.)
    44.9 (1997)
    country comparison to the world: 51
    revenues: $12.89 billion
    expenditures: $17.85 billion (2016 est.)
    18.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 166
    -7.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 188
    50.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
    48% of GDP (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 90
    1 July - 30 June
    6.1% (2016 est.)
    6.6% (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 180
    11.5% (20 January 2016)
    7% (31 December 2010)
    country comparison to the world: 17
    17.5% (31 December 2016 est.)
    16.09% (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 26
    $11.07 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $9.927 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 78
    $24.02 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
    $18.92 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 86
    $31.52 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $27.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 77
    $26.16 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
    $22.09 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
    $14.79 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 62
    -$4.444 billion (2016 est.)
    -$4.31 billion (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 168
    $6.363 billion (2016 est.)
    $5.982 billion (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 102
    tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement
    Uganda 11.2%, US 8.3%, Tanzania 8.1%, Netherlands 7.4%, UK 6%, Pakistan 4.2% (2015)
    $16.34 billion (2016 est.)
    $15.56 billion (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 82
    machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics
    China 30%, India 15.5%, UAE 5.7%, US 4.8%, Japan 4.7% (2015)
    $7.374 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $7.548 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 84
    $20.25 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $17.92 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 91
    $5.537 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
    $4.662 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 100
    $NA (31 December 2016 est.)
    $NA (31 December 2015 est.)
    Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -
    102 (2016 est.)
    98.179 (2015 est.)
    98.179 (2014 est.)
    87.921 (2013 est.)
    84.53 (2012 est.)

  • Energy :: KENYA

  • 9.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 105
    7.6 billion kWh (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 107
    38 million kWh (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 89
    79 million kWh (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 102
    2.281 million kW (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 108
    42.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 162
    0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 130
    43.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 54
    13.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 23
    0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 151
    0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 160
    11,270 bbl/day (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 74
    0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
    country comparison to the world: 168
    12,610 bbl/day (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 100
    92,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 82
    575.3 bbl/day (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 114
    82,950 bbl/day (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 58
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 167
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 159
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 144
    0 cu m (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 96
    0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
    country comparison to the world: 165
    13 million Mt (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 96

  • Communications :: KENYA

  • total subscriptions: 85,496
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (July 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 129
    total: 37.716 million
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82 (July 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 35
    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
    domestic: sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, privatized and as of 2013 is 70% owned by France Telecom; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 80 per 100 pers
    international: country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2015)
    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 (2014)
    .ke
    total: 20.952 million
    percent of population: 45.6% (July 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 33

  • Transportation :: KENYA

  • number of registered air carriers: 16
    inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 106
    annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,874,590
    annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 286,414,683 mt-km (2015)
    5Y (2016)
    197 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 28
    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)
    total: 181
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
    914 to 1,523 m: 107
    under 914 m: 60 (2013)
    oil 4 km; refined products 928 km (2013)
    total: 3,334 km
    narrow gauge: 3,334 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 54
    total: 160,878 km
    paved: 11,189 km
    unpaved: 149,689 km
    note: includes 99 km of urban and other roads (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 32
    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)
    registered in other countries: 5 (Comoros 2, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 125
    major seaport(s): Kisumu, Mombasa
    LNG terminal(s) (import): Mombasa

  • Military and Security :: KENYA

  • Kenya Defence Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force (2012)
    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)
    1.96% of GDP (2012)
    1.88% of GDP (2011)
    1.96% of GDP (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 41

  • Transnational Issues :: KENYA

  • 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
    refugees (country of origin): 334,197 (Somalia); 87,912 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers); 27,485 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 21,537 (Ethiopia) (2016)
    IDPs: 309,000 (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 (2014)
    stateless persons: 20,000 (2015); 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
    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