Founding president and liberation struggle icon Jomo KENYATTA led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982 when the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) made itself the sole legal party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud, but were viewed as having generally reflected the will of the Kenyan people. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition, defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.
Country profile: Kenya
Situated on the equator on Africa's east coast, Kenya has been described as "the cradle of humanity".In the Great Rift Valley palaeontologists have discovered some of the earliest evidence of man's ancestors.
In the present day, Kenya's ethnic diversity has produced a vibrant culture but is also a source of conflict.
After independence from Britain in 1963, politics was dominated by the charismatic Jomo Kenyatta. He was succeeded in 1978 by Daniel arap Moi, who remained in power for 24 years. The ruling Kenya African National Union, Kanu, was the only legal political party for much of the 1980s.
AT-A-GLANCE- Politics: Politics has recently been dominated by wrangling over changes to the constitution, prompted by pressure to stamp out corruption and nepotism
- Economy: The government is accused of not doing enough to deal with corruption
- International: Kenya has mediated in conflicts in Somalia and Sudan
Violent unrest - and international pressure - led to the restoration of multi-party politics in the early 1990s. But it was to be another decade before opposition candidate Mwai Kibaki ended nearly 40 years of Kanu rule with his landslide victory in 2002's general election.
Despite President Kibaki's pledge to tackle corruption, some donors estimated that up to $1bn had been lost to graft between 2002 and 2005.
Other pressing challenges include high unemployment, crime and poverty; most Kenyans live below the poverty level of $1 a day. Moreover, a long-running regional drought has put millions of Kenyans in need of food aid.
One of Africa's more politically-stable countries, Kenya has been a leading light in the Somali and Sudanese peace processes.
With its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, Kenya is one of Africa's major safari destinations. The lucrative tourist industry has bounced back following the slump that followed bomb attacks in Nairobi in 1998 and Mombasa in 2002.
- Full name: The Republic of Kenya
- Population: 32.8 million (UN, 2005)
- Capital: Nairobi
- Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)
- Major languages: Swahili, English
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy: 48 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)
- Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 cents
- Main exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products
- GNI per capita: US $530 (World Bank, 2006)
- Internet domain: .ke
- International dialling code: +254
President: Mwai Kibaki
Political veteran Mwai Kibaki won a landslide election victory in December 2002, promising to fight endemic corruption and to address Kenya's economic woes.
But despite the tough talk about graft, his government has become mired in a major corruption scandal. Former and current ministers have been implicated in an alleged scam involving shadowy deals and large sums of public money.
The president was thwarted over another key policy when voters rejected a proposed new constitution in 2005. Mr Kibaki had portrayed it as modernising measure; critics said the charter left too much power in his hands.
A respected economist, Mwai Kibaki served as finance minister and vice president in the 1970s and 1980s. He left Kanu in 1991 and founded the Democratic Party.
His election victory marked the end of almost 40 years of Kanu rule, and it was third time lucky for Mr Kibaki, who lost two elections in the 1990s. The constitution barred his predecessor, Daniel arap Moi, from standing. Mr Kibaki's National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) won a parliamentary majority.
Mwai Kibaki was born in 1931 and hails from Kenya's largest tribe, the Kikuyu. He studied in Uganda and Britain before joining the push for Kenya's independence in the 1960s. He became an MP in 1963.
Kenya enjoys a more diverse media scene than many other African countries, with a large middle class providing a base for substantial advertising revenue. The Kibaki government came to power promising further media liberalisation, but some incidents since then have alarmed observers.
In 2003 there was a crackdown on unregistered newspapers. Months later, a court criticised the information minister for harassing the popular private radio station Kiss FM. Then in March 2006 armed police, acting on government orders, stormed the offices and presses of the Standard media group.
Lively media sceneIn pictures: Press raid
The raid shocked many Kenyans and alarmed Western donors. The government said the action was aimed at protecting state security.
There is a tradition of a relatively independent press, although newspapers often had to practise self-censorship during the era of Presidents Kenyatta and Moi. The print media is dominated by two major publishing houses, the Nation and Standard, both of which also have substantial broadcasting operations.
Most Kenyans rely on the broadcast media, particularly radio, for news. Until recently the liberalisation of broadcasting had a limited impact outside Nairobi but some private radio and TV networks now have wide coverage of much of the country. TV viewing is substantial, but few Kenyans are regular internet users, owing to cost and access problems.
Full-time FM relays of the BBC World Service are on the air in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, and some BBC programmes are also rebroadcast by private Kameme FM. The Voice of America has an FM relay in Nairobi and Radio France Internationale is relayed on FM in Mombasa.
The press
Television
Radio
News agency
The regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, Kenya has been hampered by corruption and by reliance upon several primary goods whose prices have remained low. In 1997, the IMF suspended Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems, causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output. As a result, GDP contracted by 0.2% in 2000. The IMF, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1.2%. Growth lagged at 1.1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the key December 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation. In 2003, progress was made in rooting out corruption and encouraging donor support. GDP grew more than 5% in 2005.
Kenyan natural resources include limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower
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
Kenyan religion is Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Muslim 10%, other 2%.
Natural hazards in Kenya include recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons.
Travel Advice on Kenya
SUMMARY
- Kenya shares with neighbouring countries a high threat from terrorism. This threat remains. Previous attacks have been against civilian or visibly Western targets where foreigners have been present. These have included bomb attacks on a hotel and a western Embassy, both of which resulted in significant loss of life, and an unsuccessful attempt to bring down a civilian airliner in Mombasa.
- Muggings and armed attacks are prevalent, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa. There have been a number of violent attacks and murders of non-indigenous residents since 2004. Incidents of car-jacking and armed robbery in and around Nairobi are commonplace. On occasion, these result in fatal shootings, most recently in January 2007. You should avoid travelling at night outside Nairobi and remain vigilant.
- We remain concerned about the inadequate security arrangements in place at Wilson airport in Nairobi. The airport is mainly used for domestic flights, including charters. These have been raised with the Kenyan authorities. We continue to monitor the situation. You should remain vigilant at all times.
- Political rallies will be held in the run-up to elections in late 2007. You should avoid political rallies and demonstrations and exercise caution.
- The Kenyan government closed the Kenya - Somalia border on 3 January 2007 due to increased instability in Somalia. There have been skirmishes and inter-clan fighting in the North Eastern Province, along the Somalia border. People have been killed. Travel in the north east should only be undertaken with care and after consulting the Police.
- An outbreak of Rift Valley Fever has been reported in the Central, Coast, Eastern and North Eastern Provinces of Kenya.
- Around 150,000 British nationals visit Kenya each year. The main types of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Kenya are road accidents and muggings (5 and 8 cases respectively in 2006.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see Travel Insurance
SAFETY AND SECURITY
You should read the Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas on the FCO website.
Crime
Incidents of car-jacking and armed robbery involving foreign nationals in and around Nairobi are commonplace. On occasion, these result in fatal shootings, most recently in January 2007.
Kenya Country Profile.
Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in Kenya in late 2007. Most political parties will hold rallies in the run-up to the elections.
Most visits to game reserves and other tourist areas are trouble-free. In 2006 there have been robberies on visitors to game parks, including the Masai Mara. If you wish to visit reserves you should use reputable tour operators and arrive at your destination in daylight hours. You are strongly advised not to buy safari tours from touts but only through reputable agencies or from your hotel.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You must obtain a valid work permit before taking up any paid or volunteer work in Kenya; the penalties for not doing so can be a fine, jail or deportation depending on the nature of the offence.
The taking of photographs of official buildings, including Embassies, is not recommended and can lead to detention. If in any doubt about what a building is used for, do not photograph it or film around it.
Although there are no strict dress codes, you should note that the coastal areas are predominantly Muslim in tradition. You should dress conservatively away from the tourist resorts and hotels, especially in Mombasa town, to avoid offending local sensitivities. You should respect local customs and sensitivities at all times, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
Permission to carry any kind of firearm must be obtained from the local authorities prior to entry
It is illegal to destroy Kenyan currency whatever the denomination.
Homosexual activity is illegal in Kenya.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
If you are coming to live and work in Kenya, you should be aware that there can be delays in obtaining work permits. It is illegal to work without a permit and this also applies to voluntary work and to the self-employed. British nationals living in Kenya are advised to register with the British High Commission in Nairobi: Kenya: British High Commission Nairobi
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at Immigration, please contact the Kenya High Commission in London.
HEALTH
In December 2006, January and February 2007, there was an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Central, Coast, Eastern and North-Eastern Provinces. The North Eastern Province (Garissa, Wajir and Ijara Districts) and Coast Province (Tana River District) of Kenya have been most affected. Cases have also been reported in Kilifi (an area frequented by tourists). Rift Valley fever is a mosquito-borne disease. You should take necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites if you are travelling in this area. For further information please see: http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/rvf_010207.htm.
Malaria is endemic outside of Nairobi and in areas below 1,800 metres above sea level. However, in 2006, there was an outbreak of highland malaria in the West Pokot District (north western Kenya) that was associated with several fatalities. More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets. However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country. Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Kenya.
GENERAL
British nationals visiting Kenya for more than a month and/or travelling to remote areas should register with the High Commission on arrival.
There is a Safety and Communication Centre operated by the Kenya Tourism Federation which can give up to the minute advice on tourist and travel matters, road conditions etc as well as providing help in an emergency. This can be accessed at any time by telephoning + 254 20 604730 or by e-mail to: safetour@wananchi.com
We advise that you leave your passport in the hotel safe, but carry a photocopy for ID purposes
It is advisable to confirm return flights.
Local time is three hours ahead of British winter time (GMT) and two hours ahead of British summer time.
Money
It is unlikely that you will be able to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes in Kenya. ATMs are widely available in Nairobi and the main towns. Credit cards and travellers’ cheques are widely accepted.