Quick facts about Kenya
Kenya or the Republic of Kenya as it is officially known is one of the 13 countries in eastern Africa Region and the Great Lake Region. It is the economic powerhouse of the Eastern African region. This former British Colony until its independence on the 12th of December 1963 became a republic of the 12th of December 1964. It is a member of the 54 nations African Union, it also a member of Inter Development Authority (IGAD) whose headquarters are in Djibouti. Additionally, it is also one five members of the East African Community and a member of the Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Kenya currency is Kenya Shilling (KSH).
Kenya is +3 GMT and consequently 3 hours behind the Prime Meridian. It does not practice Daylight Saving. Kenya Bank Holidays are:
- New Year Day on the 1st of January
- Good Friday and Easter Monday
- Labour Day on the 1st of May
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Madaraka Day (Self Governance Day) on the 1st of June
- Utamaduni Day (Culture Day) which was formerly known as Moi Day 10th of October
- Mashuajaa Day (Heroes Day) on the 20th of October
- Jamhuri Day (Independence Day) on the 12th of December
- Christmas Day on the 25th of December
- Boxing Day on the 26th of December
It’s important to check for the specific days for the holidays in bold when planning for fieldwork in Kenya. The normal working days starts from Monday to Friday, from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM. Most of businesses open beyond the 5.00 PM mark as well as weekends mostly Saturday. However on Sunday most of businesses are closed. The government offices operate only within official hours from Monday to Friday, 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Kenya’s is the Eastern Africa’s fifth largest country was among the first nations to become a member of the Non-aligned movement. Besides, it is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, since it was a British colony.
The country has an area of 582,646 square kilometers of which 569,246 is land and the rest is water, while Nairobi is the nation’s capital, almost sitting at the center of the nation. Its official language is English and its national language is Swahili; in referred to as Kiswahili in the country. Additionally, the country has 42 ethnic groups who speak Afro-asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo, European and Asian languages.
Kenya is one of the countries in Africa that is said to be the cradle of mankind. Other African countries who make this claim are South Africa and Kenya’s northern and southern neighbors; Ethiopia and Tanzania. Today, Kenya has 43 ethnic groups, mainly derived from three linguistic groups; Niger-Congo such as Bantus, Nilo-Saharan such as Nilotic and Afro-asiatic such Cushitic language families. Additionally, the country has a small population of hunters and gathers. The hunters and gatherers are historically the earliest settlers of the land.
The last community to be recognized, hence becoming the 43rd ethnic group was Makonde who originally came from southern Africa at the turn of the 19th century.
Furthermore, Kenya has sizeable Asian and European communities. Most of the Asian communities are from India, who came to the country at the turn of the 19th century to work in the construction of the Uganda Railway. Besides, Indians, there is a significant number of Arabs, who have been living along the coastal strip for centuries, while of late the country has attracted a number of Chinese. Majority of the European community are originally from United Kingdom who decided to remain after independence.
| Ethnicity in Kenya | |
| Ethnicity | Percentage (%) |
| Kikuyu | 17.13% |
| Luhya | 14.35% |
| Kalenjin | 13.37% |
| Luo | 10.65% |
| Kamba | 9.81% |
| Somalis | 5.85% |
| Kisii | 5.68% |
| Mijikenda | 5.23% |
| Meru | 4.15% |
| Others including Whites and Asians | 13.78% |
When translating marketing and social research materials, there is no need to translate them into the 43 languages. The country’s official language is English, while Swahili, locally known as Kiswahili is spoken throughout the country. Therefore questionnaires fielded are either in English, Swahili or both.
Administratively Kenya is divided into 47 counties. The counties are further divided into sub-counties, which are divided into locations and sub location. The sub location is the smallest administrative unity. Therefore in sampling the sub location is used as the primary sampling unit (PSU). Talk to us about sampling in Kenya by contacting us.
Majority of Kenya are Christians but with a sizeable of Muslim population. Additionally, some people still practice indigenous religion while there are a significant number of people of Hinduism and Judaism.
| Religion in Kenya | |
| Religion | Percentage (%) |
| Christian | 85.52% |
| Muslim | 10.91% |
| Non-Practicing | 1.60% |
| Traditional African Religion | 0.68% |
| Other Religions | 1.29% |
Kenya last carried its population census in 2019. The country population based on the census was 47,564,296, consequently ranking 29th globally. Additionally, the country’s has a population density of 78 persons per square kilometer or 202.people per square mile, making it the world’s 124th densely populated. Based on 2020 estimates, 14,975,059 people live in urban areas. Below is a list pf the country’s major cities.
| Population Kenya’s Major Urban Centers | ||||
| No. | Urban Centre Name | Population | County | Former Province |
| 1 | Nairobi | 2,750,547 | Nairobi | Nairobi |
| 2 | Mombasa | 799,668 | Mombasa | Coast |
| 3 | Nakuru | 259,903 | Nakuru | Rift Valley |
| 4 | Eldoret | 218,446 | Uasin Gishu | Rift Valley |
| 5 | Kisumu | 216,479 | Kisumu | Nyanza |
| 6 | Thika | 200,000 | Kiambu | Central |
| 7 | Malindi | 118,265 | Kilifi | Coast |
| 8 | Kitale | 75,123 | Trans Nzoia | Rift Valley |
| 9 | Garissa | 67,861 | Garissa | North Eastern |
| 10 | Kakamega | 63,426 | Kakamega | Western |
| 11 | Kapenguria | 56,000 | West Pokot | Rift Valley |
| 12 | Bungoma | 55,962 | Bungoma | Western |
| 13 | Busia | 51,981 | Busia | Western |
| 14 | Nyeri | 51,084 | Nyeri | Central |
| 15 | Ol Kalou | 47,795 | Nyandarua | Central |
| 16 | Meru | 47,226 | Meru | Eastern |
| 17 | Kilifi | 46,118 | Kilifi | Coast |
| 18 | Wajir | 45,771 | Wajir | North Eastern |
| 19 | Mumias | 45,485 | Kakamega | Western |
| 20 | Voi | 45,483 | Taita Taveta | Coast |
| 21 | Iten | 42,000 | Elgeyo Marakwet | Rift Valley |
| 22 | Lugulu | 40,894 | Busia | Western |
| 23 | Homa Bay | 40,319 | Homa Bay | Nyanza |
| 24 | Naivasha | 38,366 | Nakuru | Rift Valley |
| 25 | Nanyuki | 36,142 | Laikipia | Rift Valley |
| 26 | Mandera | 36,076 | Mandera | North Eastern |
| 27 | Narok | 36,061 | Narok | Rift Valley |
| 28 | Kericho | 35,748 | Kericho | Rift Valley |
| 29 | Migori | 35,240 | Migori | Nyanza |
| 30 | Embu | 34,922 | Embu | Eastern |
| 31 | Moyale | 34,314 | Marsabit | Eastern |
| 32 | Isiolo | 33,207 | Isiolo | Eastern |
Below is a quick summary of key information about Kenya
| Quick facts about Kenya | |
| Continent | Africa |
| Sub-Region | Eastern Africa |
| Capital City | Nairobi |
| Other Major Cities and Towns | Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and Nyeri |
| GDP (Nominal) 2020 Est | $109.116 billion |
| Per capita | $2,296 |
| GDP (PPP) 2020 Est | $206.532 billion |
| Per capita | $4,071 |
| GINI Index (2014) | 42.5 (Medium), Global Rank 48th |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.579 (Medium), Global Rank 147th |
| Time zone | (+3) Eastern African Time |
| Official Languages | English |
| National Language | Swahili (Kiswahili) |
| Type Government | A unitary state, republic, presidential system |
| Legislature | Two Chamber; Senate and National Assembly |
| Independence from Britain | 12th of December, 1963 |
| Declared a Republic | 12th of December, 1964 |
| Currency | Kenya Shillng (KES) |
| Population | 53771296 UN 2020 Estimates |
| Area (km2) | 580,367 |
| Area (sq mi) | 224,081 |
| Highest Mountain | Mount Kenya 5,199 meters (17,057 ft) ASL |
| Largest Lake | Lake Turkana |
| Longest River | Tana |
| Calling Code | (+) 254 XX XXX XXX |
| Median Age | 20.1 |
| Urban Population | 27.80% |
| Life Expectancy | 67.47 years |
| Infant Mortality | 30.6 out of every 1,000 Live Births |
| Death Under the Age of 5 years | 40 out of very 1,000 Live births |
Do you have a marketing and social research project in Kenya? Feel free to contact us for fieldwork and data management in Kenya
AfriQSense 