Introduction
Background
Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963. 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.
Geography
Area
total: 580,367 sq km
land: 569,140 sq km
water: 11,227 sq km
Climate
varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Natural resources
limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
People and Society
Population
57,052,004 (2023 est.)
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.)
Languages
English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
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.)
Population growth rate
2.09% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Nairobi
Executive branch
chief of state: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (68 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, 2 representing the disabled, and one Senate speaker; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (350 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, and one Assembly speaker; members serve 5-year terms)
Economy
Economic overview
fast growing, third largest Sub-Saharan economy; strong agriculture and emerging services and tourism industries; current account deficit and high debt; broadband and mobile-money platform investments; surging inflation due to oil and food hikes; new investor-friendly incentives; environmentally fragile economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$251.431 billion (2021 est.)
$233.852 billion (2020 est.)
$234.438 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$4,700 (2021 est.)
$4,500 (2020 est.)
$4,600 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, tea, beef, maize, sugar cane, tomatoes, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, beans, bananas
Industries
agriculture, transportation, services, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, tourism, retail
Remittances
3.42% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.09% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.83% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$11.825 billion (2021 est.)
$9.709 billion (2020 est.)
$11.471 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Uganda 14%, Pakistan 8%, Netherlands 8%, United States 8%, United Kingdom 7% (2020)
Exports - commodities
tea, cut flowers, coffee, refined petroleum, titanium (2021)
Imports
$21.853 billion (2021 est.)
$17.717 billion (2020 est.)
$20.408 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 27%, India 11%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Japan 4%, Saudi Arabia 3% (2020)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, palm oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, cars (2020)
Exchange rates
Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
109.638 (2021 est.)
106.451 (2020 est.)
101.991 (2019 est.)
101.302 (2018 est.)
103.41 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
