Kenya
Population: 39,002,772 (July 2009 est, CIA World Fact Book)
Capital city: Nairobi
People (approx): Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 15%, Luo 12%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Other African 10%, Other (Asian, Arab, European) 1%
Language(s): English, Kiswahili, various indigenous languages
Religion(s): Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 12%, indigenous beliefs 10%,
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KSH)
Membership of international groupings/organisations: UN, Commonwealth, African Union, WTO, East African Community (EAC), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
ECONOMY
GDP: US$63.52 bn;GDP per capita: US$1,600 (est 2009 CIA World Fact Viijrs)
Annual growth: 1.8 % (estimate 2009)
Inflation: 9.3 % (2009 Economist Intelligence Unit)
Exchange Rate: KSh 114.5 = £1 sterling (March 2010)
Major Industries: Small scale consumer goods, agricultural products, processing, and tourism.
Major trading partners: Africa (46.2%) mainly Uganda and Tanzania, European Union (28.5%), UK the leading partner, the Far East tops the EU for imports.
Kenya is one of the most industrialised countries in East Africa, yet indurstry represents only 10% of its GDP. Agriculture employs 80% of the population and accounts for 50% of all exports and 25% of the GDP. The Kenyan economy remains dependant on agriculture and periodic drought often threatens GDP growth. Traditionally tourism, tea and coffee have been the largest foreign exchange earners, but horticultural products and industrial exports such as refined petroleum are also becoming important.
