Kenya

Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a lively country in East Africa. It is home to over 53 million people, making it one of the most populated countries in Africa. The capital and largest city is Nairobi. Mombasa, a historic port city on Mombasa Island, is the second-largest city.

Kenya shares borders with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Lake Victoria, and Uganda.

The landscape of Kenya is very diverse. It has snow-capped mountaintops like those on Mount Kenya, fertile farmlands, and dry deserts such as the Chalbi and Nyiri Deserts. Kenya has a rich history. It became independent from British rule in 1963 and is now a presidential representative democratic republic.

Today, Kenya's economy is strong for the region. Agriculture is very important, with key crops including tea, coffee, and fresh flowers. Tourism also helps the economy, as many visitors come to see Kenya's wildlife and natural beauty. Nairobi is a major commercial center, linking Kenya to the world and its neighbors in the East African Community.

Etymology

The Republic of Kenya is named after Mount Kenya. In the 19th century, a German explorer named Johann Ludwig Krapf asked a Kamba trader named Chief Kivoi what the mountain was called. Kivoi said "Kĩ-Nyaa" or "Kĩlĩma- Kĩinyaa". This described how the mountain looked, like an ostrich's feathers. Local groups such as the Kikuyu and the Embu also have their own names for the mountain. These names all mean something bright or shining.

Krapf wrote the name as Kenia or Kegnia. Later maps used "Mt. Kenia." Over time, this name was chosen for the country. In the early colonial days, the area was called the East African Protectorate. But in 1920, the official name became the Colony of Kenya.

History

Main article: History of Kenya

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Kenya.

Prehistory

Hominid species, such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus, possibly the ancestors of modern Homo sapiens, lived in Kenya in the Pleistocene epoch. East Africa, including Kenya, is one of the earliest regions where modern humans are believed to have lived. In 1984, during excavations at Lake Turkana palaeoanthropologist Richard Leakey, assisted by Kamoya Kimeu, discovered the Turkana Boy, a 1.6-million-year-old Homo erectus fossil. Evidence from 2018 shows that modern behaviours, including trade and the use of pigments, began in Africa around the time of the emergence of Homo sapiens.

The first people in present-day Kenya were hunter-gatherer groups. They were later joined by Southern Nilotic hunter-gatherers, such as the Ogiek. These people were later largely replaced by agropastoralist Cushitic people, who originated from the Horn of Africa. During the early Holocene, the region's climate changed, providing an opportunity for the development of agriculture and herding.

Nilotic-speaking pastoralists began migrating into Kenya from the Nile Valley and the Ethiopian Highlands as early as 2000 BC. Today, the country's Nilotic ethnic groups include the Kalenjin, Samburu, Luo, Turkana, Maasai and others.

By the first millennium AD, Bantu-speaking farmers had moved into the region, initially along the Kenyan coast. The Bantus had originated in West Africa. The Bantu migration brought new developments in agriculture and ironworking to the region. Today, the country's Bantu groups include the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kamba, Kisii, Meru, Kuria, Aembu, Ambeere, Wadawida-Watuweta, Wapokomo, and Mijikenda, among many others.

Notable prehistoric sites in the interior of Kenya include Namoratunga and the walled settlement of Thimlich Ohinga in Migori County.

Swahili trade period

Further information: Swahili culture and Sultanate of Zanzibar

The coastline of Kenya was home to communities of ironworkers and Bantu farmers, hunters, and fishers. These communities formed the earliest city-states in the region, which were collectively known as Azania. The Swahili people were of mixed African and Asian ancestry.

By the 1st century CE, many of the area's city-states, such as Mombasa, Malindi, and Zanzibar, began to establish trading relations with the Arabs. This led to increased economic growth of the Swahili states, the introduction of Islam, Arabic influences on the Swahili language, and the Swahili city-states becoming members of a larger trade network. The Kilwa Sultanate was a medieval sultanate centred at Kilwa, in modern-day Tanzania. At its height, its authority stretched over the entire length of the Swahili Coast, including Kenya. The rulers of Kilwa built elaborate coral mosques and introduced copper coinage.

Swahili, a Bantu language with Arabic, Persian, and other loanwords, later developed as a lingua franca for trade between different peoples. Since the turn of the 20th century, Swahili has also adopted loanwords from English.

Early Portuguese presence

The Swahili built Mombasa into a major port city and established trade links with other nearby city-states, as well as commercial centres in Persia, Arabia, and India. By the 15th century, Portuguese voyager Duarte Barbosa wrote that "Mombasa is a place of great traffic and has a good harbour." One major city on the Kenyan coast is Malindi. It has been an important Swahili settlement since the 14th century. In 1414, the Chinese trader and explorer Zheng He, representing the Ming Dynasty, visited the East African coast. Malindi also welcomed the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498.

In the 17th century, the Swahili coast was conquered by the Omani Arabs, who expanded trade to meet the demands of plantations in Oman and Zanzibar.

18th and 19th centuries

During the 18th and 19th century, the Masai people moved into the central and southern Rift Valley plains of Kenya. The Masai caused much strife in the areas they conquered. The first foreigners to successfully get past the Masai were Johann Ludwig Krapf and Johannes Rebmann, two German missionaries who established a mission in Rabai. The pair were the first Europeans to sight Mount Kenya.

German Protectorate (1885–1890)

The German Empire established a protectorate over the Sultan of Zanzibar's coastal possessions in 1885, followed by the arrival of the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1888. Imperial rivalry was prevented by the Heligoland–Zanzibar Treaty, so Germany handed its East African coastal holdings to Britain in 1890.

Nandi Resistance (1890–1906)

Main article: Nandi Resistance

The Nandi Resistance (1890–1906) was a long challenge to British colonial rule in East Africa. For nearly two decades, the Nandi and Kipsigis peoples—led by the Orkoiyot Koitalel Arap Samoei defended their territories. Despite several efforts, the British were unable to achieve a victory over the Kalenjin warriors. The resistance was broken through an act of treachery when Colonel Richard Meinertzhagen lured Samoei to a meeting and assassinated him.

British Kenya (1888–1962)

The building of the railway was resisted by some ethnic groups—but the British eventually built it. During the railway construction era, there was a significant influx of Indian workers. They and most of their descendants later remained in Kenya and formed the core of several distinct Indian communities, such as the Ismaili Muslim and Sikh communities. At the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, the governors of British East Africa and German East Africa initially agreed on a truce. But Lieutenant Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the German military commander, conducted an effective guerrilla warfare campaign. He eventually surrendered in Northern Rhodesia (today Zambia) 14 days after the Armistice was signed in 1918.

To chase von Lettow, the British deployed troops from India but needed large numbers of porters. The Carrier Corps was formed and ultimately mobilised over 400,000 Africans.

In 1920, the East Africa Protectorate was turned into a colony and renamed Kenya after its highest mountain.

During the early part of the 20th century, the interior central highlands were settled by British and other European farmers. The central highlands were already home to over a million members of the Kikuyu people, most of whom had no land claims and lived as itinerant farmers. To protect their own interests the settlers banned the growing of coffee and introduced a hut tax. A massive exodus to the cities ensued as their ability to make a living from the land dwindled. By the 1950s there were 80,000 white settlers living in Kenya.

Throughout World War II, Kenya was an important source of manpower and agriculture for the United Kingdom. Kenya itself was the site of fighting between Allied forces and Italian troops in 1940–41.

Mau Mau Uprising

Further information: Mau Mau Uprising

From October 1952 to December 1959, Kenya was in a state of emergency arising from the Mau Mau rebellion against British rule. The Mau Mau, also known as the Kenya Land and Freedom Army, were primarily Kikuyu, Embu and Meru people. The capture of Waruhiu Itote (nom de guerre "General China") on 15 January 1954 and the subsequent interrogation led to a better understanding of the Mau Mau command structure for the British. The capture of Dedan Kimathi on 21 October 1956 in Nyeri signified the ultimate defeat of the Mau Mau.

Somalis of Kenya referendum, 1962

Further information: Somalis in Kenya

Before Kenya got its independence, Somali ethnic people in present-day Kenya in the areas of Northern Frontier Districts petitioned Her Majesty's Government not to be included in Kenya. The colonial government decided to hold Kenya's first referendum in 1962 to check the willingness of Somalis in Kenya to join Somalia. The result of the referendum showed that 86% of Somalis in Kenya wished to join Somalia, yet the British colonial administration rejected the result and the Somalis remained in Kenya.

Early independence period

The first direct elections for native Kenyans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957.

Despite British hopes of handing power to "moderate" local rivals, it was the Kenya African National Union (KANU) of Jomo Kenyatta that formed a government. The Colony of Kenya and the Protectorate of Kenya each came to an end on 12 December 1963, with independence conferred on all Kenya. On 12 December 1964, Kenya became a republic under the name "Republic of Kenya".

Concurrently, the Kenyan army fought against ethnic Somali rebels inhabiting the Northern Frontier District who wanted to join their kin in the Somali Republic to the north. A ceasefire was eventually reached with the signing of the Arusha Memorandum in October 1967.

First presidency

Further information: Presidency of Jomo Kenyatta and Jomo Kenyatta

On 12 December 1964, the Republic of Kenya was proclaimed, and Jomo Kenyatta became Kenya's first president. Under Kenyatta, corruption became widespread. Kenyatta and his family were tied up with this corruption as they enriched themselves through the mass purchase of property after 1963. The Kenyatta family also heavily invested in the coastal hotel business.

Kenyatta's mixed legacy was highlighted at the 10-year anniversary of Kenya's independence. But Amnesty International responded to praise of Kenyatta by stating the cost of the stability in terms of human rights abuses. The opposition party started by Oginga Odinga—Kenya People's Union (KPU)—was banned in 1969 after the Kisumu Massacre and KPU leaders were still in detention without trial. Kenyatta ruled until his death on 22 August 1978.

Moi era

Further information: Daniel arap Moi, Presidency of Daniel Moi, 1978 Kenyan presidential election, 1988 Kenyan general election, and 1992 Kenyan general election

After Kenyatta died, Daniel arap Moi became president. He retained the presidency, running unopposed in elections held in 1979, 1983, and 1988, all of which were held under the single-party constitution. In 1996, KANU revised the constitution to allow Moi to remain president for another term. Subsequently, Moi stood for reelection and won a 5th term in 1997.

Transition to multiparty democracy

In 1991, Kenya transitioned to a multiparty political system after 26 years of single-party rule. The election was scheduled to take place on 7 December 1992, but delays led to its postponement to 29 December. Apart from KANU, the ruling party, other parties represented in the elections included FORD Kenya and FORD Asili. This election was marked by large-scale intimidation of opponents and harassment of election officials. It resulted in an economic crisis propagated by ethnic violence as the president was accused of rigging electoral results to retain power.

President Kibaki and the road to a new constitution

Further information: Mwai Kibaki, Presidency of Mwai Kibaki, 2002 Kenyan general election, and 2007 Kenyan general election

Moi's plan to be replaced by Uhuru Kenyatta failed, and Mwai Kibaki, running for the opposition coalition "National Rainbow Coalition" (NARC), was elected president. In 2005, Kenyans rejected a plan to replace the 1963 independence constitution with a new one. As a result, the elections of 2007 took place following the procedure set by the old constitution. Kibaki was reelected in highly contested elections marred by political and ethnic violence. The main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, claimed the election was rigged. In the ensuing violence, many people were killed and another hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes. To stop the death and displacement of people, Kibaki and Odinga agreed to work together, with the latter taking the position of a prime minister.

In August 2010, Kenyans held a referendum and passed a new constitution, which limited presidential powers and devolved the central government. Following the passage of the new constitution, Kenya became a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Kenya is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system.

Kenyatta and Ruto presidencies

Main articles: Presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta and Presidency of William Ruto

In 2013, Kenya held its first general elections under the 2010 constitution. Uhuru Kenyatta won, though the result was unsuccessfully challenged at the Supreme Court by opposition leader Raila Odinga. Kenyatta was re-elected in 2017 in another disputed election. In March 2018, a historic handshake between Kenyatta and Odinga signaled a period of reconciliation followed by economic growth and increased stability. Ruto narrowly won the 2022 presidential election, defeating Odinga to become Kenya's fifth president. In 2024, Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza coalition faced popular protests over the Kenyan Finance Bill 2024.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Kenya

Kenya is a country in East Africa. It covers an area of 580,367 km². Kenya sits near the equator and has a coastline along the Indian Ocean. The land rises from the coast up to central highlands. These highlands are split by the Great Rift Valley. The highlands are good for farming. They include Mount Kenya, the highest point in the country.

Kenya's weather changes from tropical along the coast to dry in the north. There are two main rainy seasons. The long rains come from March to May. The short rains come from October to December. Kenya is home to famous wildlife areas like the Masai Mara. Animals such as lion, elephant, and wildebeest live there. Every year, millions of wildebeest migrate between Kenya and neighboring Tanzania. This is one of the world's great natural events.

Main articles: Wildlife of Kenya and Environmental issues in Kenya

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Kenya

Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic. The president is both the head of state and head of government. The country has many political parties. The government makes decisions, while the National Assembly and the Senate help make laws. The Judiciary works separately to ensure fairness.

Kenya has had problems with corruption. The government is working to improve this by creating a new Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

2013 elections and new government

In 2013, Uhuru Kenyatta became president after winning the election.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Kenya

Kenya has good relationships with the United Kingdom and the United States. Kenya also works with nearby countries to keep the region safe.

Armed forces

Kenya's military has an army, navy, and air force. They help keep peace in Kenya and support peace around the world. The president is the top leader of the armed forces.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Counties of Kenya and Divisions of Kenya

Kenya is divided into 47 counties. Each county is led by a governor. These counties are split into smaller areas.

Human rights

See also: Human rights in Kenya and LGBT rights in Kenya

Kenya's laws do not allow homosexual acts. There have been concerns about some people being treated unfairly.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Kenya

Kenya's economy has grown strongly in recent years. This growth is due to better roads, railways, air travel, and water transport. It is also helped by big investments in technology. Kenya now has the largest economy in East Africa. After gaining independence, Kenya worked on growing its economy. This included government spending, support for small farms, and encouraging private businesses. The country is an important center for transportation and finance in the region, with a well-developed financial system.

Foreign investment in Kenya is still modest. As of 2022, foreign direct investment was about US$10.4 billion. This is about 9.5% of the country's total economy. Kenya's economy has strong areas such as tourism, education, technology, and farming, especially tea production. The service sector, including telecommunications and finance, is a large part of the economy. Farming employs many people but can be affected by weather changes.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Kenya

Kenya has a large and young population. About 73% of people are under the age of 30. This is because the country has grown quickly over the past century. Nairobi, the capital city, is home to Kibera, one of the world's largest slums. Many people live in crowded conditions there.

Kenya has many different ethnic groups. The largest groups include the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, and Kamba. Most people speak English or Swahili. These are the two official languages. English is used in schools and government. Swahili is spoken by many different groups.

Most Kenyans practice Christianity. Many also follow Islamic traditions. Other religions and beliefs are present too. This shows the country's rich cultural diversity. The country faces challenges in health care and education. Many programs work to improve opportunities for young people and ensure a better future for all Kenyans.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Kenya

The culture of Kenya is rich and varied, shaped by the traditions of many tribes. Kenya is a mix of different community cultures.

One well-known group is the Maasai, famous for their bright clothing and jewelry. Kenya has lively music, television, and theatre. The country has produced famous writers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.

Kenya has many kinds of music, from modern pop to traditional songs. Drums are a key instrument, and you can hear many different rhythms. Popular music often uses guitars and includes styles like hip-hop and Afro-pop. Songs are usually sung in Swahili, English, or other local languages.

Kenya is good at long-distance running, with many Olympic champions coming from the country. Sports like football, rugby, and cricket are also popular. The Safari Rally is a famous car race held in Kenya.

Kenya has its own ways of eating. Breakfast might include tea, porridge, or bread like chapati. A common lunch dish is Githeri, while many people enjoy Ugali with vegetables or meat for dinner. In cities, you can find fast food places like Steers, KFC, and Subway.