Location and Quick Facts
Kenya is an East-African country bordered on the northern sides by Ethiopia and South Sudan, Lake Victoria and Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean and Somalia to the east. Its population, according to the World Bank (n.d.), is 52.57 million people. Uhuru Kenyatta has been the country’s President since 2013, with his presidential term expected to expire in 2022. The current constitution of Kenya allows individuals to be presidents for a maximum of two five-year terms. Uhuru Kenyatta’s Deputy, Dr. William Ruto, was his running mate during the 2013 General Elections. The country holds an election every five years to elect a President, members of parliament, governors, and members of county assemblies.
Geographic Features of Kenya
Kenyan coastline is about 1,420 kilometers. Almost half of this is found in Lamu District, which also has an irregular coastline and several islands within its boundary. Further inland, the Kenyan geography is characterized by hills, broad plains, rivers, lakes, tropical forests, and undulating landscapes. The second highest mountain in Kenya – Mount Kenya – is found in the country’s central region. Additionally, part of Lake Victoria – the source of the world’s longest river (The Nile) is in Western Kenya.
Climate of Kenya
Kenya’s weather varies depending on the time of the year and the region. Its northeastern, northern, and southern parts are arid and semi-arid areas with high daily temperatures and erratic precipitation. The western parts of the country, encompassing some parts of the former Rift Valley Province, have cooler temperatures and regular rains. However, most counties in the country experience average temperatures of 29 °C or more, with annual precipitation of about 10 inches in the north and less than 20 inches in the south. The climate supports a variety of agricultural activities, including crop farming and animal rearing. For example, farmers grow tea over the highlands east and west of the rift valley region. The tea-growing regions – which are between 1000m and 1700 meters above sea level – are wetter, colder, and have red volcanic soils, favorable conditions for the cash crop.
Environment of Kenya
Many animals and plants are native to Kenya owing to its climate. For example, the country’s big five animals are the African elephant, Cape buffalo, East African lion, leopard, and rhinos. The government has set aside more than 40 national parks and game reserves for wildlife conservation.
History of Kenya
Paleontologists globally recognize Kenya as the cradle of humankind (National Museums of Kenya, n.d.). The East-African nation is a hotbed of archaeological discoveries contributing to the story of human evolution. A wealth of unique and significant fossils found in Kenya suggest that our hominin ancestors may have inhabited the East African Rift Valley six million years ago.
European explorers and missionaries visited Kenya in the mid-1800s and sighted lakes, mountains, and generally beautiful and underutilized landscapes. They paved the way for the subsequent colonization of the country. A nationalist movement that led to the country’s liberalization began in the 1920s.
The arrest of Harry Thuku in 1922 resulted in a protest led by a woman called Mary Muthoni Nyanjiru. Unfortunately, she was killed by the ensuing massacre of the protesters. Other events that led up to Kenya’s independence include the formation of political parties, the MAU MAU uprising, and the release of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta from prison.
Kenya’s independence came following an armed struggle between the British colonial masters and indigenous African ethnic groups. Kenyatta became Kenya’s first Prime Minister and later first President following liberation. He died in power in 1978 and was succeeded by his then Deputy, the late Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.
Customs and Traditions
Ethnicity-wise, Kenya has more than 40 tribes, leading to rich cultures and customs. Kenyans are also group-oriented rather than individualistic, and they value their culture and customs. However, some traditional practices of life female genital mutilation have been abolished.
Government of Kenya
Kenya has two levels of government operating simultaneously to deliver services to the people. The national government is comprised of the executive, parliament, and judiciary. The President is the head of government and is assisted by his Deputy. In addition to that, there are 47 county governments headed by Governors elected directly by the people.
Reference
Kenya history and timeline. (n.d.). InsightGuides.
National Museums of Kenya. (n.d). How Kenya Became the Cradle of Humankind.
World Bank. (n.d.). Population, total – Kenya.