Kenya

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups and languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
- Manufacturing
- Finance and trade
- Services
- Labor and taxation
- Transportation and telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
  - Historical background
  - The 2010 constitution
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Housing
- Education
Cultural life
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- The 18th and 19th centuries
  - Maasai and Kikuyu
  - Control of the interior
  - The British East Africa Company
- The East Africa Protectorate
  - Resistance to European rule and early administration
  - The Uganda railway and European settlement
  - World War I and its aftermath
- Kenya colony
  - Political movements
  - World War II to independence
- The Republic of Kenya
  - Jomo Kenyatta’s rule
  - Moi’s rule
  - Kenya under Kibaki
    - Disputed 2007 elections
    - New constitution
    - ICC proceedings
    - Disputed 2013 elections
  - Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidency
    - ICC proceedings
    - Al-Shabaab
    - 2017 elections, annulment of presidential election results, and fresh election
    - Unexpected rapprochement, the Building Bridges Initiative, and shifting alliances
    - 2022 election
  - Ruto’s presidency
    - 2024 protests and Deputy President Gachagua’s impeachment
    - 2025 protests

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images, Videos & Interactives

Political map of Kenya showing its national boundaries with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. The map includes rivers, lakes, and a small locator inset highlighting Kenya's position in eastern Africa.

Kenya: Great Rift Valley

Map of eastern Africa highlighting Kenya in tan, with surrounding countries labeled, including Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nairobi, Kenya's capital, is marked near the country's southern border. The Indian Ocean is shown to the southeast of Kenya.

Map of Kenya highlighting physical features such as major lakes, mountains, national parks, and reserves. Neighboring countries-Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania-are shown, along with the Indian Ocean coastline. An inset locator map at the bottom left shows Kenya's position within Africa.

Thousands of pink flamingos stand and wade in the shallow waters of Lake Nakuru, Kenya, with more flamingos visible in the distance.

Savanna in Kenya

How the Maasai protect wildlife in Kenya

At a Glance

default image

Kenya: Media

country, Africa

Videos

How the Maasai protect wildlife in Kenya

How the Maasai protect wildlife in Kenya

Overview of a privately managed wildlife sanctuary on the Laikipia Plateau, central...

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Joe Sohm/Dreamstime.com

Subsistence fishing off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya

Subsistence fishing off the coast of Mombasa, Kenya

Learn about subsistence fishing practices in the Indian Ocean off the Kenyan coast.

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The threatened habitat of the golden-rumped elephant shrew

The threatened habitat of the golden-rumped elephant shrew

Learn about the golden-rumped elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus).

Video: Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz

Watch a modern textile mill in Nairobi, Kenya, weave fabrics featuring intricate East African designs

Watch a modern textile mill in Nairobi, Kenya, weave fabrics featuring intricate East African designs

Textile production in Kenya

Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Images

Kenya

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Political map of Kenya showing its national boundaries with South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret. The map includes rivers, lakes, and a small locator inset highlighting Kenya's position in eastern Africa.

Kenya

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Great Rift Valley

Kenya: Great Rift Valley

Escarpments of the Great Rift Valley rising above the plain north of Samburu Game...

© Brian A. Vikander/West Light

Map of eastern Africa highlighting Kenya in tan, with surrounding countries labeled, including Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nairobi, Kenya's capital, is marked near the country's southern border. The Indian Ocean is shown to the southeast of Kenya.

Kenya

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Kenya highlighting physical features such as major lakes, mountains, national parks, and reserves. Neighboring countries-Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania-are shown, along with the Indian Ocean coastline. An inset locator map at the bottom left shows Kenya's position within Africa.

Physical features of Kenya

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Thousands of pink flamingos stand and wade in the shallow waters of Lake Nakuru, Kenya, with more flamingos visible in the distance.

Flamingos in Lake Nakuru

Kenya's Lake Nakuru is known for the vast numbers of pink flamingos that historically...

© Alan Ward/Shutterstock.com

Taita Hills

Taita Hills

Acacia trees in the Taita Hills, Kenya.

© Pixeltheater/Fotolia

Savanna in Kenya

Savanna in Kenya

The sun setting on a savanna in the African country of Kenya.

© Digital Vision/Getty Images

A herd of zebras stands on grassy savanna near a lone acacia tree in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with open plains and distant trees in the background.

Herd of zZebras

A herd of zebras in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

© RIWO.DOT/stock.adobe.com

Superb starling

Superb starling

A superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus), Samburu Game Reserve, Kenya.

© iStock/Thinkstock

Jamia Mosque

Jamia Mosque

The shining domes of Jamia Mosque, Nairobi.

© Corbis

Workers drying coffee

Workers drying coffee

Cooperative workers drying coffee on racks in Nyeri.

Brian Seed from TSW—CLICK/Chicago

Rows of sisal plants stretch across a large field toward the distant Indian Ocean, with scattered trees and a dirt path in southeastern Kenya.

Field of sisal in Kenya

A field of sisal in southeastern Kenya.

© Joan Egert/Dreamstime.com

Kenyan one hundred-shilling banknote

Kenyan one hundred-shilling banknote

One hundred-shilling banknote from Kenya (front side).

Image source: Audrius Tomonis - www.banknotes.com

Davido performs on stage at night wearing a patterned purple jacket and large medallion, arms outstretched, with cheering crowd and lights in the background.

Afrobeats

Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido performing at the 2024 Raha Festival at Uhuru...

© Joshua Wanyama/Dreamstime.com

A herd of wildebeest leap down a dusty riverbank and cross the Mara River in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, with splashing water and visible movement.

Wildebeest crossing the Mara River

A herd of wildebeest crossing the Mara River, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

© Andrew Chappell

Cheetah in Maasai Mara National Reserve

A cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

© Anup Shah—Stockbyte/Getty Images

View of Lamu Old Town, Kenya, showing whitewashed historic buildings with flat roofs along the shoreline, small boats docked in front, and people near the waterfront.

Lamu Old Town

A view of Shela town on Lamu Island, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

© Natalia/stock.adobe.com

Catherine Ndereba at the Boston Marathon

Catherine Ndereba at the Boston Marathon

Kenyan runner Catherine Ndereba winning the 2000 Boston Marathon.

Darren McCollester—Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Kelvin Kiptum stands smiling with arms raised, holding the Kenyan flag after winning the 2023 Chicago Marathon professional men's division, with the finish line behind him.

Kelvin Kiptum

Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum celebrating after winning the 2023 Chicago Marathon professional...

© Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Replica of KNM-ER 1470

Replica of KNM-ER 1470

A replica of KNM-ER 1470, a reconstructed Homo rudolfensis skull found in...

© Bone Clones, www.boneclones.com

Historical map of eastern Africa around 1850 showing major states such as Kefa, Buganda, and the Sultanate of Zanzibar, along with minor states, stateless peoples, and the Maasai. Red lines trace major trade routes connecting inland regions to the Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and Indian Ocean, while green arrows indicate directions of expansion by groups like the Oromo and Maasai. Major lakes, rivers, and mountain landmarks are labeled throughout the region.

Major states, peoples, and trade routes of eastern Africa, c. 1850

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Historical map of eastern Africa around 1914, showing the region divided among British, German, French, and Italian colonial powers. Different territories are color-coded by colonial ruler, with key locations such as British East Africa (Kenya and Uganda), German East Africa (including present-day Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi), Italian Somaliland, and French Somaliland labeled. Major lakes, rivers, and cities are also marked.

Imperial partitions of eastern Africa, c. 1914

Eastern Africa as partitioned by the imperial powers, c. 1914.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Antique map from 1902 showing central Africa with colonial territories labeled as Kamerun, French Kongo, Kongo Free State, Portuguese West Africa, British East Africa, German East Africa, East Africa, and Rhodesia. The map details rivers, cities, and borders of the era, with an inset map of Madagascar in the lower right corner.

Central Africa, c. 1902

Map of Central Africa from the 10th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica,...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of Africa showing the territorial divisions and colonial possessions by European powers from the late 19th to early 20th century. Countries and regions are color-coded to indicate British, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and German control, with independent countries and British-Egyptian condominium also marked. The map highlights the extent and timing of colonization, with most of the continent under European rule except for Ethiopia and Liberia.

Colonization of Africa by European countries

Map showing the colonization of Africa by European countries in the early 1900s....

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Mau Mau Rebellion

Mau Mau Rebellion

Detained Indigenous Kenyans sitting, surrounded by barbed wire, as they wait to be...

© Planet News Ltd.—SuperStock/Alamy

Jomo Kenyatta, wearing a suit and traditional cap, waves a fly whisk and smiles amid a cheering crowd of supporters outside party headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

Jomo Kenyatta

Kenya African Nationalist Union leader Jomo Kenyatta (center) waving his fly whisk...

© Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Jomo Kenyatta

Jomo Kenyatta

African statesman and nationalist Jomo Kenyatta was the first prime minister (1963–64)...

John Moss/Black Star

Daniel arap Moi, President of Kenya, in 1988, wearing a gray suit, white shirt, and orange polka-dot tie, looking slightly to the side.

Daniel arap Moi

Kenyan politician Daniel arap Moi, pictured here in 1988, served as president from...

William Campbell—The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images

Mwai Kibaki

Mwai Kibaki

Kenyan politician Mwai Kibaki, pictured here in 2012, served as president from 2002...

© Simon Maina—AFP/Getty Images

Raila Odinga, wearing a dark suit and patterned tie, stands smiling in front of a United Nations emblem.

Raila Odinga

Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga (2008–13) smiling at the United Nations Headquarters,...

Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo

Uhuru Kenyatta in a suit and red patterned tie, smiling at an event with a green and white background featuring blurred text and graphics.

Uhuru Kenyatta

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta, pictured here in Nairobi, March 9, 2013.

Will Boase—AFP/Getty Images

Westgate mall attack: damaged parking lot

Westgate mall attack: damaged parking lot

The parking lot outside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, after al-Shabaab gunmen...

Kenyan Presidential Press Service/Getty Images

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga stand side by side, smiling and shaking hands in front of a red carpeted entrance at Harambee House in Nairobi.

Reconciliation

Political rivals Pres. Uhuru Kenyatta (left) and Raila Odinga shaking hands after...

© Simon Maina—AFP/Getty Images

William Ruto

William Ruto

Kenya's then-deputy president and president-elect, William Ruto, speaking during...

Daniel Irungu—EPA-EFE/Shutterstock.com

Kenyan police in riot gear face a large crowd of demonstrators on a city street in Nairobi, with smoke rising between the groups during a protest against tax hikes.

Gen Z taking a stand

Demonstrators—largely led by the generational cohort known as Gen Z—and police officers...

© Kabir Dhanji—AFP via Getty Images

Large crowd of demonstrators, many holding placards with names, march through downtown Nairobi. Urban buildings and colorful murals are visible in the background.

2025 protests

Demonstrators marching in downtown Nairobi on the anniversary of 2024's deadly Parliament...

© Donwilson Odhiambo/Getty Images

Lake Baringo

Lake Baringo

A view of Lake Baringo, Great Rift Valley, west-central Kenya.

Doron

Lake Magadi

Lake Magadi

The pink-hued Lake Magadi is located in the Great Rift Valley in southern Kenya.

Bogoria/R. Renaut

blue wildebeests

blue wildebeests

Blue wildebeests (Connochaetes taurinus) drinking at the water's edge, Masai...

© Digital Vision/Getty Images

Kenya: traditional clothing

Kenya: traditional clothing

Women in traditional clothing, Kenya, East Africa.

© Goodshoot/Getty Images

Physical map of East Africa showing elevation with color gradients, international boundaries, major cities, rivers, lakes, dams, waterfalls, spot elevations, and active volcanoes. The map covers countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Angola, with a locator inset highlighting the region within the African continent.

East African mountains and lakes

Mountains and lakes of East Africa.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya

Kenya

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Audio

National anthem of Kenya

Listen to the instrumental version of the national anthem of Kenya.

Interactives

Kenya: Ethnic composition

Kenya: Ethnic composition

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Religious affiliation

Kenya: Religious affiliation

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Urban-rural

Kenya: Urban-rural

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Age breakdown

Kenya: Age breakdown

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Major export destinations

Kenya: Major export destinations

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Kenya: Major import sources

Kenya: Major import sources

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence

Colonization of Africa: Maps, Timeline, Decolonization, & Independence

Learn about the colonization of Africa, the process of decolonization that led to...

© Encyclopaedia Britannica

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