2019 Edition

Background

Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel Arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make 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. 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, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. KIBAKI's reelection in December 2007 brought charges of vote rigging from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Raila ODINGA and unleashed two months of violence in which approximately 1,100 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 devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in March 2013, and was sworn into office the following month; he began a second term in November 2017 following a contentious, repeat election.

Area

Land

569,140 sq km

Total

580,367 sq km

Water

11,227 sq km

Area Comparative

five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Climate

varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Coastline

536 km

Elevation

Highest Point

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Lowest Point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Mean Elevation

762 m

Environment Current Issues

water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; water shortage and degraded water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; flooding; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

Environment International Agreements

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

Geographic Coordinates

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Geography Note

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; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Irrigated Land

1,030 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

Border Countries

Ethiopia 867 km, Somalia 684 km, South Sudan 317 km, Tanzania 775 km, Uganda 814 km

Total

3,457 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

48.1% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

9.8% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0.9% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

37.4% (2011 est.)

Forest

6.1% (2011 est.)

Other

45.8% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

Continental Shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Exclusive Economic Zone

200 nm

Territorial Sea

12 nm

Natural Hazards

recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasonsvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

Natural Resources

limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Population Distribution

population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast

Terrain

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Age Structure

0 14 Years

39.03% (male 9,474,968 /female 9,416,609)

15 24 Years

19.61% (male 4,737,647 /female 4,752,896)

25 54 Years

34.27% (male 8,393,673 /female 8,193,800)

55 64 Years

4% (male 894,371 /female 1,040,883)

65 Years And Over

3.08% (male 640,005 /female 852,675) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

22.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

11.2% (2014)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

60.5% (2017)

Current Health Expenditure

4.5% (2016)

Death Rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

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 shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017.

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

4.6 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

21.7 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

78.3 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

73.7 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

56.8% of population

Improved Total

63.2% of population

Improved Urban

81.6% of population

Unimproved Rural

43.2% of population

Unimproved Total

36.8% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

18.4% of population

Education Expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2017)

Ethnic Groups

Kikuyu 17.2%, Luhya 13.8%, Kalejin 12.9%, Luo 10.5%, Kamba 10.1%, Somali 6.2%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.1%, Meru 4.3%, Turkana 2.6%, Masai 2.2%, other 9.4% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate

4.7% (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS Deaths

25,000 (2018 est.)

HIV/AIDS People Living With HIV/AIDS

1.6 million (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

1.4 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

31.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

40.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

36.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

66.1 years

Male

63.1 years

Total Population

64.6 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Female

74.9% (2015)

Male

81.1%

Total Population

78%

Major Infectious Diseases

Animal Contact Diseases

rabies (2016)

Degree Of Risk

very high (2016)

Food Or Waterborne Diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

Vectorborne Diseases

malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever (2016)

Water Contact Diseases

schistosomiasis (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

4.556 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.254 million Mombassa (2019)

Maternal Mortality Rate

342 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

20.2 years

Male

19.9 years

Total

20 years (2018 est.)

Mother's Mean Age at First Birth

20.3 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Kenyan

Noun

Kenyan(s)

Net Migration Rate

-0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

7.1% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

48,397,527 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.57% (2018 est.)

Religions

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.)

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

29.7% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

30.1% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

31.2% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

70.3% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

69.9% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

68.8% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

Female

11 years (2009)

Male

11 years

Total

11 years

Sex Ratio

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

0.86 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.75 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.02 male(s)/female

Total Population

1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.81 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

4.23% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

27.5% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

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

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

1 17 S, 36 49 E

Name

Nairobi

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

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

Constitution

Amendments

proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% of eligible voters in at least one half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president (2017)

History

previous 1963, 1969; latest drafted 6 May 2010, passed by referendum 4 August 2010, promulgated 27 August 2010

Country Name

Conventional Long Form

Republic of Kenya

Conventional Short Form

Kenya

Etymology

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"

Former

British East Africa

Local Long Form

Republic of Kenya/Jamhuri ya Kenya

Local Short Form

Kenya

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Kyle MCCARTER (since 12 March 2019)

Embassy

United Nations Avenue, Nairobi; P.O. Box 606 Village Market, Nairobi 00621

Fax

[254] (20) 363-6157

Mailing Address

American Embassy Nairobi, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-8900

Telephone

[254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

Chancery

2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief Of Mission

Ambassador Robinson Njeru GITHAE (since 18 November 2014)

Consulate S

New York

Consulate's General

Los Angeles

Fax

[1] (202) 462-3829

Telephone

[1] (202) 387-6101

Executive Branch

Cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly

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

Election Results

Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (Jubilee Party) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential election on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote

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 at least 24 of the 47 counties to avoid a runoff; election last held on 26 October 2017 (next to be held in 2022)

Head Of Government

President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - position of the prime minister was abolished after the March 2013 elections

Flag Description

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

Government Type

presidential republic

Independence

12 December 1963 (from the UK)

International Law Organization Participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International Organization Participation

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

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

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 the 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 until age 70, whichever comes first; other judges serve until age 70

Subordinate Courts

High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts

Legal System

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in the new Supreme Court established by the new constitution

Legislative Branch

Description

bicameral Parliament consists of: 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) 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)

Election Results

Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 24; National Super Alliance 28, other 14, independent 1; composition - men 46, women 41, percent of women is 31.3% National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 165, National Super Alliance 119, other 51, independent 13; composition - men 273, women 76, percent of women 21.8%; note - total Parliament percent of women is 23%

Elections

Senate - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2022) National Assembly - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2022)

National Anthem

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

Name

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)

National Holiday

Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule

National Symbol S

lion; national colors: black, red, green, white

Political Parties And Leaders

Alliance Party of Kenya or APK [Kiraitu MURUNGI] Amani National Congress or ANC [Musalia MUDAVADI] 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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, fish, pork, poultry, eggs

Budget

Expenditures

19.24 billion (2017 est.)

Revenues

13.95 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-6.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

1 January 2016

11.5%

1 January 2017

10%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

16.56%

31 December 2017

13.67%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$3.697 billion

2017

-$5.021 billion

Debt External

31 December 2016

$37.7 billion

31 December 2017

$27.59 billion

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2008

42.5

2016

48.5

Economy Overview

Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. 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 steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties.Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 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. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing.Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017.In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018.The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing.

Exchange Rates

2013

87.921

2014

98.179

2015

101.504

2016

101.5

2017

102.1

Currency

Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$5.695 billion

2017

$5.792 billion

Exports Commodities

tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement, apparel

Exports Partners

Uganda 10.8%, Pakistan 10.6%, US 8.1%, Netherlands 7.3%, UK 6.4%, Tanzania 4.8%, UAE 4.4% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

13.9% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

14.3% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

79.5% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-25.5% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

18.9% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

-1% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

34.5% (2017 est.)

Industry

17.8% (2017 est.)

Services

47.5% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$79.22 billion (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$3,300

2016

$3,400

2017

$3,500

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$147.4 billion

2016

$156 billion

2017

$163.7 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

5.7%

2016

5.9%

2017

4.9%

Gross National Saving

2015

11.4% of GDP

2016

11% of GDP

2017

10.4% of GDP

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

Highest 10

37.8% (2005)

Lowest 10

1.8%

Imports

2016

$13.41 billion

2017

$15.99 billion

Imports Commodities

machinery and transportation equipment, oil, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Imports Partners

China 22.5%, India 9.9%, UAE 8.7%, Saudi Arabia 5.1%, Japan 4.5% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

3.6% (2017 est.)

Industries

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, information technology

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

6.3%

2017

8%

Labor Force

19.6 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

61.1%

Industry

6.7%

Services

32.2% (2005 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

31 December 2014

$26.16 billion

31 December 2015

$26.48 billion

31 December 2016

$19.33 billion

Population Below Poverty Line

36.1% (2016 est.)

Public Debt

2016

53.2% of GDP

2017

54.2% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2016

$7.256 billion

31 December 2017

$7.354 billion

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$12.77 billion

31 December 2017

$14.07 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad

31 December 2016

$335.5 million

31 December 2017

$1.545 billion

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

31 December 2016

$5.317 billion

31 December 2017

$8.738 billion

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$29.88 billion

31 December 2017

$32 billion

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$12.77 billion

31 December 2017

$14.07 billion

Taxes And Other Revenues

17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2001

40%

2013

40%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

17.98 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

12,550 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification Rural Areas

39.3% (2016)

Electrification Total Population

56% (2016)

Electrification Urban Areas

77.6% (2016)

Population Without Electricity

13 million (2017)

Electricity Consumption

7.863 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

39.1 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

33% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

34% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

33% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

184 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

2.401 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

9.634 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

109,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

173 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

90,620 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

13,960 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

Total

288,303

Broadcast Media

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 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; many private radio stations broadcast on a national level along with over 100 private and non-profit regional stations broadcasting in local languages; TV transmissions of all major international broadcasters available, mostly via paid subscriptions; direct radio frequency modulation transmissions available for several foreign government-owned broadcasters (2019)

Internet Country Code

.ke

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

26% (July 2016 est.)

Total

12,165,597

Telephone System

Domestic

multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 90 per 100 persons; fixed-line subscriptions stand at less than 1 per 100 persons (2018)

General Assessment

the mobile-cellular system is generally good, especially in urban areas; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; to encourage advancement of the LTE services the govt. has fostered an open-access approach; govt. progresses with national broadband strategy; more licensing being awarded has led to competition which is good for growth (2018)

International

country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS, LION2, DARE1, PEACE Cable, and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems covering East, North and South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat; launched first micro satellites (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

69,861

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

90 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

42,815,109

Airports

197 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

2 (2017)

2 438 To 3 047 M

2 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

6 (2017)

Over 3 047 M

5 (2017)

Total

16 (2017)

Under 914 M

1 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

14 (2013)

914 To 1 523 M

107 (2013)

Total

181 (2013)

Under 914 M

60 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

5Y (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

general cargo 1, oil tanker 2, other 19 (2018)

Total

22

National Air Transport System

Annual Freight Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

286,414,683 mt-km (2015)

Annual Passenger Traffic On Registered Air Carriers

4,874,590 (2015)

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

106 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

16 (2015)

Pipelines

4 km oil, 1,432 km refined products (2018)

Ports And Terminals

Lng Terminal's Import

Mombasa

Major Seaport S

Kisumu, Mombasa

Railways

Narrow Gauge

3,334 km 1.000-m gauge (2018)

Standard Gauge

485 km 1.435-m gauge (2018)

Total

3,819 km (2018)

Roadways

Paved

14,420 km (8,500 km highways, 1,872 urban roads, and 4,048 rural roads) (2017)

Total

177,800 km (2018)

Unpaved

147,032 km (2017)

Waterways

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)

Maritime Threats

The International Maritime Bureau reports that shipping in territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean remain at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, especially as Somali-based pirates extend their activities south; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen.

Military And Security Forces

Kenya Defence Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force (2019)

Military Expenditures

2015

1.32% of GDP

2016

1.32% of GDP

2017

1.32% of GDP

2018

1.22% of GDP

2019

1.3% of GDP

Military Note

The Kenya Coast Guard Service (established 2018) is separate from the Defence Forces, but led by a military officer and comprised of personnel from the military, as well as the National Police Service, intelligence services, and other government agencies. (2019)

Military Service Age And Obligation

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) and subsequent 3-year reenlistments; applicants must be Kenyan citizens and provide a national identity card (obtained at age 18) and a school-leaving certificate, and undergo a series of mental and physical examinations; women serve under the same terms and conditions as men; mandatory retirement at age 55 but personnel leaving before this age remain in a reserve status until they reach age 55 unless they were removed for disciplinary reasons; there is no active military reserve, although the Ministry of Defence has stated its desire to create one as recently as 2017 (2019)

Disputes International

Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005; as of March 2019, Kenya provides shelter to nearly 475,000 refugees and asylum seekers, 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

Illicit Drugs

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

Refugees And Internally Displaced Persons

Idps

162,000 (election-related violence, intercommunal violence, resource conflicts, al-Shabaab attacks in 2017 and 2018) (2018)

Refugees Country Of Origin

256,168 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 119,985 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 43,890 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 27,989 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 14,674 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers), 10,011 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2019)

Stateless Persons

18,500 (2018); 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

Terrorist Groups Foreign Based

aim(s): establish Islamic rule in Kenya’s northeastern border region and coast; avenge Kenya's past intervention in Somalia against al-Shabaab and its ongoing participation in the African Union mission; compel Kenya to withdraw troops from Somalia; attract Kenyan recruits to support operations in Somalia area(s) of operation: maintains an operational and recruitment presence, mostly along the coast and the northeastern border region (2018)