About KenyaUnder British rule since the late nineteenth century, the people of Kenya sought their independence after World War II via the Mau Mau revolution in the 1950’s. The British granted the country independence in 1963. In 1964 the country became an official Republic, with Jomo Kenyatta as president.
Daniel arap Moi of the Kenya African National Union became President in 1978 after Kenyatta's death, moving Kenya from a democracy to a one-party state. In 1991 Moi agreed to end one-party rule and was reelected president in 1992 in a multiparty election. On 27 December 2002, the newly formed National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) defeated KANU with their candidate, Mwai Kibaki. Disputed elections in December 2006 and January 2007 left the country in political and ethnic turmoil. Eventually a partisan agreement was reached in which Mwai Kibaki remained President and Raila Odinga became the Prime Minister. |
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Quick FactsPopulation: 27,885,000
Total Area: 224,960 square miles Official Languages: English, Swahili Capital: Nairobi Religion: 80% "Christian", but only 12% of the population goes to church. Government: A parliamentary republic with a president, elected to a five-year term. |
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Ethnic CompositionKenya has over 70 different people groups living within its borders, divided into three linguistic categories (Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic) based upon the ancestry of the language. The Bantu population is made up of tribes such as the Kikuyu and Kamba, the Nilotic by tribes such as the Maasai and Turkana, and the Cushitic by tribes such as the Rendille and Somali. Other language groups and people also reside in Kenya including Asians, Indians, ex-Patriate Americans and British.
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For Further Reading
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Favorite Kenya Links |
Movies About KenyaOut of Africa
I Dreamed of Africa The Ghost and the Darkness Nowhere in Africa The Air Up There The Constant Gardener Queen of Katwe (takes place in Uganda, but the most realistic movie at depicting slum life) |
