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Kenya

2025 Edition · 439 data fields

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Introduction

Background

Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. In 1895, the British established the East Africa Protectorate, which in 1920 was converted into a colony, and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963. Jomo KENYATTA, the founding president and an icon of the liberation struggle, 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 political party. MOI gave in to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in 1991, but the ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud. MOI stepped down in 2002 after 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 the founding president, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. Opposition candidate Raila ODINGA challenged KIBAKI's reelection in 2007 on the grounds of widespread vote rigging, leading to two months of ethnic violence that caused more than 1,100 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands. African Union-sponsored mediation resulted in a power-sharing accord that brought ODINGA into the government as prime minister and outlined a reform agenda. In 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly voted to adopt a new constitution that eliminated the prime minister, introduced additional checks and balances to executive power, and devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in 2013. He won a second and final term in office in 2017 after a contentious repeat election. In 2022, William RUTO won a close presidential election; he assumed the office the following month after the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the victory.

Geography

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

Continent

Africa

Elevation

Highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Mean elevation: 762 m

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 freshwater 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
number of neighbors: 5
Total: 3,457 km

Land use

Agricultural land: 49.5% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 36.7% (2023 est.)
arable land: 11.42%
Forest: 6.5% (2023 est.)
Other: 44% (2023 est.)
permanent crops: 1.44%

Landlocked

Location

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

Major aquifers

Ogaden-Juba Basin

Major lakes (area sq km)

Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

Map links

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Ni9M7wcCxf8bJHLX8
OpenStreetMap: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/192798

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 seasons volcanism: 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, as shown in this population distribution map

Subregion

Eastern Africa

Terrain

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

Time zone

UTC+03:00
number of time zones: 1

People and Society

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.8% (male 10,464,384/female 10,366,997)
15-64 years: 60.9% (male 17,731,068/female 17,723,012)
65 years and over: 3.4% (2024 est.) (male 896,348/female 1,064,569)

Alcohol consumption per capita

Beer: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 1.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

25.93 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

Men married by age 18: 1.8% (2022)
Women married by age 15: 2.2% (2022)
Women married by age 18: 12.5% (2022)

Children under 5 years underweight

17.6%

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.8% (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.2% (2022 est.)

Death rate

4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
adult female: 275 per 1,000
adult male: 356 per 1,000

Dependency ratios

Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 (2025 est.)
Potential support ratio: 18.2 (2025 est.)
Total dependency ratio: 64 (2025 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 58.5 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

Improved: rural: rural: 53.3% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 62.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 86.4% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 46.7% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 37.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 13.6% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 28.5% national budget (2025 est.)

Education expenditures

4 % of GDP

Ethnic groups

Kikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% (2019 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.53 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

4 % of GDP
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 4.5% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 8.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.53%

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births
neonatal: 22 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
Major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili)
number of languages: 2

Life expectancy at birth

Female: 72.2 years
Male: 68.6 years
Total population: 70.4 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas - population

5.325 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.440 million Mombassa (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

379 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

Female: 21.4 years
Male: 21.1 years
Total: 21.5 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3 years (2014 est.)
note: note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Nationality

Adjective: Kenyan
Noun: Kenyan(s)

Net migration rate

0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.1% (2016)

Physician density

0.29 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Population

Female: 27,894,198
Male: 27,857,519
Total: 55,751,717 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

2.15% (2025 est.)

Religions

Christian 85.5% (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4%, African Instituted Churches 7%, other Christian 4.1%), Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2% (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved total: 35.83%
Improved: rural: rural: 51.1% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: total: total: 60.9% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: 84.7% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: rural: rural: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: total: total: 39.1% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: 15.3% of population (2022 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
At birth: 1.02 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

Female: 1.9% (2025 est.)
Male: 15.5% (2025 est.)
Total: 8.6% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.09 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Rate of urbanization: 4.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Urban population: 29.5% of total population (2023)

Vaccination rate

measles: 88%

Government

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

Etymology: the name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters," which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi
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

Coat of arms

svg: https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/ke.svg

Constitution

Amendment process: amendments can be 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
History: current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010

Country name

alternative spellings: KE, Republic of Kenya, Jamhuri ya Kenya
Conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
Conventional short form: Kenya
Etymology: named for Mount Kenya; the mountain's name may derive from the Kikuyu word kere nyaga, or "white mountain"
FIFA code: KEN
Former: British East Africa
Local long form: Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili)
local long form (eng): Republic of Kenya
Local short form: Kenya

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. BURNS (since 25 August 2025)
Email address and website: kenya_acs@state.gov https://ke.usembassy.gov/
Embassy: P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi
FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157
Mailing address: 8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC  20521-8900
Telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chancery: 2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008
Chief of mission: Ambassador David Kipkorir Kiplagat KERICH (since 18 September 2024)
Consulate(s): New York
Email address and website: information@kenyaembassydc.org https://kenyaembassydc.org/#
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 William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
Election results: 2022: William RUTO elected president in first round; percent of vote - William RUTO (UDA) 50.5%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 48.9%, other 0.6%
Election/appointment process: president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by majority vote nationwide and at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties; failure to meet these thresholds requires a runoff between the top two candidates
Expected date of next election: 10 August 2027
Head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
Most recent election date: 9 August 2022
Note: note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

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 at the center meaning: black stands for the majority population, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom

Flag description

The flag of Kenya is composed of three equal horizontal bands of black, red with white top and bottom edges, and green. An emblem comprising a red, black and white Maasai shield covering two crossed white spears is superimposed at the center of the field.

Flag image

svg: https://flagcdn.com/ke.svg

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, ATMIS, 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, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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 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 system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; Supreme Court reviews laws

Legislative branch

Legislative structure: bicameral
Legislature name: Parliament of Kenya

Legislative branch - lower chamber

Chamber name: National Assembly
Electoral system: plurality/majority
Expected date of next election: August 2027
Most recent election date: 8/9/2022
Number of seats: 350 (all directly elected)
Parties elected and seats per party: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) (145); Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (86); Jubilee Party (JP) (28); Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) (26); Others (19); Other (45)
Percentage of women in chamber: 23.4%
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

Chamber name: Senate
Electoral system: plurality/majority
Expected date of next election: August 2027
Most recent election date: 8/9/2022
Number of seats: 68 (all directly elected)
Parties elected and seats per party: Kenya Kwanza Alliance (33); Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Coalition Party (32); Other (1)
Percentage of women in chamber: 31.3%
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 5 years

National coat of arms

the two lions symbolize protection as they hold a traditional East African shield and spears in defense of freedom and unity; the shield features the national colors: black for the people, green for agriculture and natural resources, red for the struggle for freedom, and white for unity and peace; on the shield, a rooster greets the new day, and the axe represents both authority and the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) that led the country to independence; at the base of the shield is Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak; the scroll has the Swahili word Harambee, meaning “all for one” or “pulling together”

National color(s)

black, red, green, white

National heritage

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c); The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (c)
Total World Heritage Sites: 8(5 cultural, 3 natural)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties

Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party Amani National Congress or ANC Chama Cha Kazi or CCK Democratic Action Party or DAP-K Democratic Party or DP Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP Jubilee Party or JP Kenya African National Union or KANU Kenya Kwanza coalition Kenya Union Party or KUP Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG National Agenda Party or NAP-K National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU Orange Democratic Movement or ODM Pamoja African Alliance or PAA] The Service Party or TSP United Democratic Alliance or UDA United Democratic Movement or UDM United Democratic Party or UDP United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA United Progressive Alliance or UPA Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K

Start of week

Monday

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

UN Member

Yes

Economy

Agricultural products

sugarcane, milk, maize, bananas, tea, potatoes, cassava, cabbages, camel milk, mangoes/guavas (2023)
note: note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

On alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On food: 42.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

Expenditures: $30.924 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues: $20.202 billion (2023 est.)

Currency

code: KES
name: Kenyan shilling (KES) [Sh]

Current account balance

$-1,549,810,653
Current account balance 2021: -$5.597 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$5.889 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$4.317 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$42.89 billion
Debt - external 2023: $31.451 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic overview

fast growing, third largest Sub-Saharan economy; strong agriculture sector with emerging services and tourism industries; IMF program to address current account and debt service challenges; business-friendly policies foster infrastructure investment, digital innovation and public-private partnerships; vulnerable to climate change-induced droughts

Exchange rates

Currency: Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 106.451 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 109.638 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 117.866 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 139.846 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 134.822 (2024 est.)

Exports

$20.54 billion
Exports 2021: $11.815 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022: $13.954 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $12.626 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

tea, cut flowers, garments, gold, tropical fruits (2023)
note: note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Uganda 10%, USA 10%, UAE 8%, Netherlands 8%, Pakistan 6% (2023)
note: note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Foreign direct investment

net inflows: $463.44 million

GDP - composition, by end use

Exports of goods and services: 11.1% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 11.5% (2024 est.)
Household consumption: 75.5% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -19.2% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 17.7% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.9% (2024 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture: 21.3% (2024 est.)
Industry: 16.1% (2024 est.)
Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Services: 55.9% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$124.499 billion (2024 est.)
note: note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP per capita (nominal)

$2,132

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

40.8 (2015)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021: 38.7 (2021 est.)
Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

GNI (gross national income)

$118.47 billion

GNI per capita

$2,090

Gross domestic investment

17 % of GDP

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Highest 10%: 31.8% (2021 est.)
Lowest 10%: 2.9% (2021 est.)
Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

$27.82 billion
Imports 2021: $22.001 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022: $24.606 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $22.046 billion (2023 est.)
Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, palm oil, wheat, plastics, garments (2023)
note: note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

China 22%, UAE 14%, India 10%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)
note: note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2024 est.)
note: note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

agriculture, transportation, services, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, tourism, retail

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.49%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 7.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 7.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 4.5% (2024 est.)
Note: note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

23.781 million (2024 est.)
note: note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
total: 24.71 million persons

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 45.79%
industry: 12.48%
services: 41.73%

Population below poverty line

38.6% (2021 est.)
note: note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

Public debt 2016: 53.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$374.95 billion
Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $297.938 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $314.491 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $328.632 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

4.72%
Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.9% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 5.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 4.5% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$6,644
Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2022: $5,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $5,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024: $5,800 (2024 est.)

Remittances

$5 billion
Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021: 3.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 3.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$10.07 billion
Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $7.969 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $7.342 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $10.067 billion (2024 est.)

Revenue (excl grants)

19 % of GDP

Tax revenue

14 % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

14% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

5.45%
Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 5.8% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 5.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 5.5% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Female: 16% (2024 est.)
Male: 8.3% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 11.9% (2024 est.)

Energy

Coal

Consumption: 1.453 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 30 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 1.453 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

Consumption: 10.002 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption per capita: 190 kWh
Exports: 34 million kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 316 million kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 3.824 million kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 3.069 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

Electrification - rural areas: 65.6%
Electrification - total population: 76% (2022 est.)
Electrification - urban areas: 98%

Electricity generation sources

Biomass and waste: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 10.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Geothermal: 47.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectric: 20.99%
Hydroelectricity: 20.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear: 0%
renewable: 78.08%
Solar: 4.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Wind: 15.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

545 kg of oil equivalent
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 5.486 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption: 113,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Renewable energy consumption

67.7%

Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

per 100 inhabitants: 2 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.)
Total: 1.32 million (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

about a half-dozen large, 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 nationally, 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 (2019)

Internet country code

.ke

Internet users

Percent of population: 35% (2023 est.)

Postal code format

#####

Telephone calling code

+254

Telephones - fixed lines

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
Total subscriptions: 68,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100: 121 per 100
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (2024 est.)
Total subscriptions: 71.4 million (2024 est.)

Transportation

Air transport

passengers carried: 5.14 million passengers
registered carrier departures: 69,323 departures

Airports

368 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Driving side

Left

Merchant marine

By type: oil tanker 4, other 22
Total: 26 (2023)

Ports

Key ports: Kilifi, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa
Large: 0
Medium: 1
Ports with oil terminals: 1
Small: 2
Total ports: 4 (2024)
Very small: 1

Railways

Narrow gauge: 3,334 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge
Standard gauge: 485 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge
Total: 3,819 km (2018)

Vehicle registration code

EAK

Military and Security

Land forces

armored vehicles
tanks

Military - note

the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) are responsible for protecting the country's sovereignty and territory and assisting civil authorities in responding to emergency, disaster, or political unrest as requested; the KDF's chief security concerns include regional disputes and instability, maritime crime and piracy, and the threat posed by the Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorist group, which has conducted attacks inside Kenya; it has conducted operations in neighboring Somalia since 2011 and taken part in numerous regional peacekeeping and security missions; the KDF is a leading member of the Africa Standby Force; it participates in multinational exercises, and has ties to a variety of foreign militaries, including those of France, the UK, and the US the Kenya Military Forces were created following independence in 1963; the current KDF was established and its composition laid out in the 2010 constitution; it is governed by the Kenya Defense Forces Act of 2012; the Army traces its origins back to the Kings African Rifles (KAR), a British colonial regiment raised from Britain's East Africa possessions from 1902 until independence in the 1960s; the KAR conducted both military and internal security functions within the colonial territories, and served outside the territories during both World Wars (2025)

Military and security forces

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF): Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force Ministry of Interior: National Police Service, Kenya Coast Guard (2025)
active duty personnel: 24,000
note: note: the National Police Service maintains internal security and includes a paramilitary General Service Unit and Rapid Deployment Unit, as well as a Border Police Unit
percent of total labor force: 0.11 %

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 25,000 active Kenya Defense Forces (2025)

Military deployments

400 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); approximately 1,400 Somalia (African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia or AUSSOM) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the KDF's inventory is a mix of older, donated/secondhand, and some modern weapon systems from a variety of sources; major suppliers have included China, France, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK, and the US; in 2023, the Kenyan Government unveiled a five-year defense spending plan with a focus on upgraded military equipment, including aerial surveillance drones, tactical vehicles, and air defense systems (2025)

Military expenditures

1 % of GDP
current USD: $1,231,306,437
Military Expenditures 2020: 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
percent of central government expenditure: 4.43 %
percent of GDP: 1.00 % of GDP

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (under 18 with parental consent; upper limit 30 years of age for specialists, tradesmen, or women with a diploma; 39 years of age for chaplains/imams); 7-9 year service obligations (2026)

Military strength ranking

PowerIndex score: 1.8588

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 284,886 (2024 est.)
Refugees: 823,904 (2024 est.)
Stateless persons: 9,800 (2024 est.)

Space

Key space-program milestones

1970 - first satellite (US-made Uhura) launched from Kenya 2008 - established country's first satellite ground station 2018 - first remote-sensing (RS)/technology-demonstrator cube nanosatellite (1KUNS-PF) produced jointly with Japan and Italy and deployed from the International Space Station 2023 - first domestically designed RS satellite (TAIFA-1) built by Bulgaria and launched by US

Space agency/agencies

Kenya Space Agency (KSA; established 2017) (2025)
note: note: KSA's predecessor, the National Space Secretariat, was established in 2009

Space launch site(s)

Luigi Broglio Space Center (aka Malindi Space Center, Malindi Station, San Marco Satellite Launching and Tracking Station; Kilifi County; over 20 sounding rockets and nine satellites launched from the site, 1967-1989); in 2020, Kenya concluded a new deal with Italy to conduct rocket launches from the site again in the future (2025)

Space program overview

has a national space strategy focused on acquiring and applying space technologies for agriculture, communications, disaster and resource management, security, urban planning, and weather monitoring; jointly develops and builds nanosatellites with foreign partners; operates satellites; researching and developing satellite payloads and imagery data analysis capabilities; has cooperated on space issues with China, Japan, India, Italy, and the US, as well as a variety of African partners; member of the African Space Agency (2025)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

al-Shabaab
note: note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Environment

Carbon dioxide emissions

From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.316 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 15.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Total emissions: 19.023 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

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

International environmental agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Methane emissions

Agriculture: 1,241 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Energy: 334.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)
Other: 32.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste: 127.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

12.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Protected areas

12 % of total land area

Renewable electricity output

48 % of total

Total renewable water resources

30.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

19 % of internal resources
Agricultural: 3.234 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Industrial: 303 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Municipal: 495 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.595 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19.9% (2022 est.)