Country Profile · No. 25

Kenya

Capital / Admin Capital

NairobiPopulation: ~55.1MIndependence: 1963 (December 12)

First President

Jomo Kenyatta (Led independence as Prime Minister in 1963, first President 1964–1978)Current President: William Ruto (Serving since September 2022)

Geography & Borders

Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Indian Ocean. Bisected by the Great Rift Valley and crossed by the Equator.

Demographics & Language

Christianity (~85%), Islam (~11%). Official: English language, Swahili language. Major groups: Kikuyu (~17%), Luhya (~14%), Kalenjin (~13%), Luo (~10%), Kamba (~10%).

Economy & GDP

Eco-tourism, financial services, agriculture (tea, coffee, cut flowers), technology ("Silicon Savannah").

Global Diaspora

1. United States (~150k–200k), 2. United Kingdom (~140k), 3. Canada (~30k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): Texas (Dallas/Houston), Georgia (Atlanta), Maryland (Silver Spring), Minnesota (Minneapolis).

Major Conflicts

Mau Mau Uprising (1952–1960, bloody anti-colonial guerrilla rebellion against British colonial rule), Shifta War (1963–1967), 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis (post-election ethnic violence), Al-Shabaab terrorist attacks.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Maasai Mara National Reserve (World-famous wildlife reserve hosting the annual Great Wildebeest Migration across the Mara River), 2. Mount Kenya National Park (Africa's second-highest peak featuring striking glacial valleys and alpine vegetation), 3. Amboseli National Park (Renowned for massive herds of free-roaming elephants framed against the snow-capped backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro).

Quick Facts

Globally celebrated as an economic and tech powerhouse in East Africa ("Silicon Savannah"); legendary training ground for world-record long-distance runners from the Rift Valley.