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.

Area
Total: 580,367 km²
Land: 569,140 km²
Water: 11,227 km²
Comparative: five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Land boundaries
Total: 3,457 km
Border countries (5): (5) Ethiopia 867 km; Somalia 684 km; South Sudan 317 km; Tanzania 775 km; Uganda 814 km

Coastline: 536 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

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

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

Land use
Agricultural land: 49.5% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 36.7% (2023 est.)
Forest: 6.5% (2023 est.)
Other: 44% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 1,030 km² (2012)

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

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

Population
Total: 58,246,378 (2024 est.)
Male: 29,091,800
Female: 29,154,578
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
Growth rate: 2.06% (2024 est.)

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)

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.)

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)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 65.3 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 59.8 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 18.3 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 21.2 years (2024 est.)
Male: 21.1 years
Female: 21.4 years

Population growth rate: 2.06% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 25.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

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

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

Major urban areas
Population: 5.325 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.440 million Mombassa (2023)

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

Maternal mortality ratio: 379 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 70.4 years (2024 est.)
Male: 68.6 years
Female: 72.2 years

Total fertility rate: 3.16 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 13.6% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 46.7% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 37.1% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 15.3% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 39.1% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9.8% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 5.5% (2024 est.); 5.6% (2023 est.); 5.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Capital
Name: Nairobi
Geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E
Time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the name derives from the Maasai expression meaning 'cool waters,' which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi

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

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

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
Head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly
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
Most recent election date: 9 August 2022
2022: William RUTO elected president in first round; percent of vote - William RUTO (UDA) 50.5%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 48.9%, other 0.6%
2017: Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (JP) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%
Expected date of next election: 10 August 2,027
Note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Legislative branch
Legislature name: Parliament of Kenya
Legislative structure: bicameral

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

National anthem
Title: 'Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu' (O God of All Creation)
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
History: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 8(5 cultural, 3 natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

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

Real gdp per capita: 4.5% (2024 est.); 5.6% (2023 est.); 4.9% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 75.5% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 11.5% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 17.7% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: -0.9% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 11.1% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -19.2% (2024 est.)
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.)
Services: 55.9% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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

Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 23.781 million (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 5.5% (2024 est.); 5.6% (2023 est.); 5.8% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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

Taxes and other revenues: 14% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $12.626 billion (2023 est.); $13.954 billion (2022 est.); $11.815 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: tea, cut flowers, garments, gold, tropical fruits (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $22.046 billion (2023 est.); $24.606 billion (2022 est.); $22.001 billion (2021 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: refined petroleum, palm oil, wheat, plastics, garments (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 3.824 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 10.002 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 34 million kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 316 million kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 3.069 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 76% (2022 est.)
Access electrification - urban areas: 98%
Access electrification - rural areas: 65.6%
Generation sources fossil fuels: 10.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 4.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 15.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 20.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources geothermal: 47.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

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

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

Carbon dioxide emissions: 19.023 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.316 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 15.707 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 5.486 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 68,000 (2023 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 66.7 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 122 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 35% (2023 est.)

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

Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.); 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.); 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Airports: 368 (2025)

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

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