Swahili

Area 582,600 sq.km. Most people live in the better watered plateaus of the south and west. Much of the north and east is desert. Only 9.5% of the land is cultivated.

    Population    Ann. Gr.    Density
1990    25,130,000    4.3 %    43/sq. km

1995    30,844,000    4.2 %    53/sq. km

The highest natural increase in the world, with an average family having eight children.

Peoples: Over 117 ethno-linguistic groups.
Bantu 66.6%. 48 peoples. Largest: Kikuyu 5,146,000; Luyia (4) 3,475,000; Kamba 2,829,000; Gusii 1,548,000; Meru 1,378,000; Mijikenda (9) 1,201,000; Giryama 422,000; Embu 296,000; Digo 231,000; Taita 223,000; Kuria 146,000; Tharaka 118,000; Mbere 113,000; Bajun 61,000; Pokomo 36,000.
Nilotic 28.1%. 21 peoples. Luo 3,207,000; Kipsigis 1,055,000; Nandi 596,000; Maasai 382,000; Turkana 340,000; Tugen 296,000; Elgeyo 252,434; Teso 217,000; Pokot 213,000; Marakwet 181,000; Samburu 115,000.
Cushitic 3.6%. 16 peoples. Somali 511,000; Boran 113,000; Oromo (2) 78,000; Gabbra 50,000; Garreh 50,000; Rendille 36,000.
Khoisan 0.3%. 12 peoples.
Asian 0.63%. Mainly Gujarati 104,000; Panjabi 33,000.
Other 0.77%. Arab 64,000; European 60,000.
Refugees: By early 1992 there were over 100,000 Somali refugees in northeast Kenya, fleeing the civil war in Somalia.

Literacy 59%. Official languages: English, Swahili. All languages 58. Languages with Scriptures 13Bi 5NT 13por.

Capital: Nairobi 2,000,000. Other major city: Mombasa 550,000. Urbanization 20%.

Economy: Predominantly agricultural, light industries, and a major tourist country. Post-independence stability aided good growth, but this was not maintained since 1976 because of recession, oil-debt, drought, high population growth and the corrupting influence of one-party-statism. Much unemployment. Public debt/person $350. Income/person $380 (1.8% of USA).

Politics: Independent from Britain in 1963. Virtually a one-party state for much of the time since then. The reluctance of President Moi to open up the political system to Western-style democracy brought pressure from foreign aid donors to permit multi-party elections in 1993. The election was seriously flawed giving a hollow victory to Moi, but leaving the elected representatives of the Luo and Kikuyu, the two dominant peoples, in opposition and parliament suspended. Kenya faces a period of dangerous instability.

Religion: Freedom of religion. Government sympathetic to Christianity. Many Christians in high leadership positions, including the President.
African traditional religions 10%.
Muslim 6%. Majority among coastal Swahili/Arab, Pokomo, Digo and northeast desert Somali, Boran, etc.
Baha'i 1.1%. Hindu 0.45%. Jain 0.2%. Sikh 0.1%.
There has been no nationwide analysis of churches or religions since 1972, so most figures are approximate.
Christian 82.1%. Nom 12.5%. Affil 69.6%. Growth 5.5%.
Protestant 45%. Affil 37.3%. Growth 7.1%.
Church    Cong    Members    Affiliated
Africa Inland Ch    4,325    1,000,000     2,000,000
Indep Afr Chs (100)    7,500    600,000     1,500,000
Ch of Prov of Kenya
(Anglican)    4,474    850,000    1,450,000
Presbyterian Ch    1,400    480,000     1,000,000
Pente Assemblies    3,900    225,000     500,000
Baptist Convention    1,610    107,395     358,000
Full Gosp Chs    1,857    130,000    325,000
Seventh-day Adventist    1,084    158,000     263,211
Methodist Ch    3,500    140,000    250,000
Ch of God in East Afr    556    89,000     178,000
African Brotherhood    765    76,500     170,000
Salvation Army    1,360    100,000    150,000
Friends (Quaker)    1,667    50,000     111,000
Assemblies of God    900    47,700    90,000
All other (60)    5,931    460,040     1,024,200
Denominations (173)    40,829    4,513,635     9,369,411
Evangelicals 34% of pop        4,079,000     8,538,000
Pentecostal/charismatic 11.1%        1,240,000     2,860,000
Missionaries:
to Kenya 2,321 (1:10,800 people) in over 176 agencies.
from Kenya 2,166 (1:4,300 Protestants) in 59 agencies 118frn 518xcul 1,648dom.
Roman Catholic 25.9%. Affil 20.1%. Growth 3.9%.
Catholic Ch    2,141    2,680,000     5,050,000
Charismatics        13,000    25,000
Missionaries to Kenya 3,210 (7,800 people).
Orthodox 2.9%. Affil 1.95%. Growth 1.7%.
African Orthodox Ch    456    196,000     490,000
Foreign Marginal 0.2%. Affil 0.15%. Growth 7.5%.
Jehovah's Witnesses    132    5,600    18,700
All other (11)    76    11,400    19,000
Groups (12)    208    17,000    37,700
Indigenous Marginal 11%. Affil 10.08%. Growth 4.3%.
African Indep Pent Ch    408    204,000     510,000
Ch of Christ in Africa    879    123,000     205,000
All other (232)    11,536    830,600     1,819,000
Groups (234)    12,823    1,157,600     2,534,000
Missionaries from Kenya 109 (1:38,000 Independents).

1.    Praise God for the great freedom to preach the gospel since independence, for the receptivity of the people and for the exciting growth of the Church. Over four-fifths of the population claims to be Christian, and Christians are found in every level of society. Yet there have been growing tensions between the government and church leaders over human rights and the need for political change. Pray that Christians may bring truth and moral uplift to the nation as it edges to the brink of political disaster.

2.    The Protestant churches have grown fast, and the proportion of Evangelicals is high. The East African Revival (1938-1960) made a deep and lasting impression on the Anglican, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches. The fires of revival were quenched by legalism, divisions, materialism and personality clashes. The growth of evangelical and Pentecostal churches (both international and indigenous) has been dramatic. One of the largest is the Africa Inland Church, the daughter body of the considerable missionary input of AIM. There have been numerous and extensive evangelistic outreaches (AE, CFAN and others) with significant response. Few countries in Africa have been more extensively evangelized.

3.    Rapid growth has brought its problems:
a)    Nominalism has become a major issue, with a large number of nominal Evangelicals too. Nairobi is 80% "Christian", but only 12% of the population goes to church. Pray for revival to be given again.
b)    Tribalism and tribal customs have caused endless divisions and a multiplicity of independent churches, some theologically orthodox, others little removed from the old tribal religions. Pray for unity based on biblical truth that transcends culture and personalities.
c)    The lack of trained leaders for the 40,000 or more evangelical/Pentecostal congregations gives concern. There are 55 institutions with over 2,000 students where workers are trained for Christian ministry. The Scott Theological College (AIC-AIM) and St. Paul's United Theological College (Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist) are significant institutions. The Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (with 32 students from 14 countries) and Daystar University College serve all of Anglophone Africa. There are also numerous TEE programmes. Pray for these, and for lives to be set on fire for God through them. Pray for more graduates to be fully and adequately supported by their congregations -- a need in all denominations.

4.    Missionary vision among Kenyan Christians has grown significantly, with over 500 serving in cross-cultural ministries, including a number in other lands. The Africa Inland Church, Anglicans, the Africa Gospel Church and various independent Pentecostal agencies have provided the major thrust for this. The AIC has a Missionary Training College in Eldoret where 15 missionary candidates are trained each year. Pray that churches and agencies may run with this vision.

5.    Foreign missions have had a long and successful involvement in Kenya. Almost all national ministries are now operating under Kenyan leadership, whether in pioneer outreach, Bible teaching or in service ministries. Many agencies have supportive, global or regional ministries located in Kenya, which partially accounts for the high missionary population. Some major agencies: AIM (463 workers), SBC (116), WGM (96), Norwegian Lutheran Mission (68), SIM (52), AoG (52), Finnish Lutheran Mission (55), Finnish Free Mission (46), PAoC (46), CMS (40), Baptist Bible Fellowship (31), YWAM (31), IMI (27), Korean Presbyterian (22), CBFMS (20), BCMS (20). Major missionary-contributing nations: USA (1,382), UK (186), Canada (118), Finland (105), Norway (105), Germany (81), Sweden (55), Korea (48), Australia (42).

6.    Over half the population is under 15. Youth ministries are vital. SU has made a deep impact on secondary schools. IFES has lively groups in universities and colleges where over 10% of students are active believers. Pray for the integration of Christian students into local churches; this is not easy, but their contribution is essential.

7.    Recent breakthroughs among less responsive pastoral peoples are cause for much praise. The efforts of many Kenyan and expatriate workers in preaching and famine relief have begun to bear fruit. Famines, tribal warfare and radical social changes have been used by God to open hearts among the Maasai, Pokot, Turkana, Mukugodo, Njemps and Samburu and, more recently, the Somalis. The pioneer work of AIC-AIM in most of these groups is noteworthy, though numerous other churches and agencies are involved too. Yet, with the exception of the Pokot, less than 10% of these peoples are committed Christians, and churches are still young. Pray for their complete evangelization.

8.    Unreached peoples. Probably about 12% of the population of Kenya belongs to peoples little affected by the gospel, though only a few are unoccupied by missions. Pray for:
a)    The Somali in the northeast and cities. The five clans of Somalis are all Muslim. About 20 Christian workers (AIC/AIM, SIM, CBIM and Mennonites) are reaching these people. There are three small groups and 50 believers.
b)    The pastoral tribes of north Kenya who are predominantly animistic and nomadic. Anglicans, Lutherans, AIC and Pentecostals work among them, but converts are few. Pray for the Boran, Samburu, Gabbra and Rendille, and for the emergence of truly indigenous churches among them.
c)    The tribal peoples of the Muslim coastal strip including the Digo (0.1% Christian), Bajun (0.01%), Orma (0.01%), Upper Pokomo, Boni of Lamu, and coastal Somalis. The AIC, CBFMS, Methodists and Pentecostals are all working in this area. It is reckoned that several thousand Muslims have now believed in Jesus. The Giryama and Duruma are animist, but many are coming to the Lord.
d)    The coastal Swahili and Arab population which is strongly Muslim. Most are unreached, but Southern Baptist missionaries have seen church multiplication in the largely Muslim city of Mombasa, with over 10,000 baptisms since 1985, many of them from a Muslim background.
e)    The Asian community which has become insecure since the disastrous expulsion of Asians in Uganda and destructive riots in Kenya in 1982. Over four languages are used. Hindus and Muslims have come to the Lord, and there are now five churches planted among them (IMI, AIM). IMI has the vision for a church-planting work in every Asian community of East and Central Africa.

9.    Bibles and Bible translation. Most languages have part of God's Word, and 12 indigenous languages have the whole Bible. Pray for:
a)    The valued catalytic ministry of the Bible Society (UBS) in translation, revision, publishing and distributing the Scriptures.
b)    SIL, with eight translation teams in Kenya and also serving many churches and agencies in all of East Africa.
c)    Living Bibles International which has translation projects in seven of Kenya's languages.

10.    Supportive ministries.
a)    Aid programmes through many of the above agencies, TEAR Fund, WV, etc. have played a significant part in opening the way for the gospel in arid and famine-stricken areas. Pray for those involved in a hard and difficult ministry.
b)    MAF, with 20 workers, has a well-developed ministry, flying to many parts of East Africa and northeast Zaire from their base in Nairobi. Without this ministry much Christian work would come to a halt. AIM-Air also has an extensive flying programme in the region.
c)    GRn has recordings available in 60 languages.
d)    The Jesus film is being widely shown in English, Gusii, Kamba, Kikuyu, Nandi, Luo and Swahili.
e)    Christian Radio. There are many Christian programmes aired on the national radio and TV networks, and a Christian radio station may be established. FEBA-Seychelles broadcasts ten hours/week in Swahili and has an estimated audience of 650,000. TWR-Swaziland has a further 12 hours in Swahili and 20 hours in English.

11. Nairobi is one of the key communications centres in Africa. Many international Christian organizations have their continental offices based there. The Ecumenical AACC (All Africa Conference of Churches) and the AEAM (Assoc. of Evangelicals of Africa and Madagascar) are two of these. The latter has played a key role in promoting evangelical unity and ministries in theology, training, literature and fellowship. Pray for this work and its extension through Africa.

Geography
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total area: 582,650 sq km
land area: 569,250 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Nevada
Land boundaries:
total: 3,446 km
border countries: Ethiopia 830 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km
Coastline: 536 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does not coincide with international boundary; possible claim by Somalia based on unification of ethnic Somalis
Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Natural resources: gold, limestone, soda ash, salt barytes, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife
Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 85%
Irrigated land: 520 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value
People
Population: 28,176,686 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 6,362,160; female 6,226,333)
15-64 years: 53% (male 7,413,876; female 7,448,733)
65 years and over: 2% (male 328,649; female 396,935) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.27% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 10.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 55.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.61 years
male: 55.53 years
female: 55.69 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Kenyan(s)
adjective: Kenyan
Ethnic divisions: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, Asian, European, and Arab 1%, other 15%
Religions: Protestant (including Anglican) 38%, Roman Catholic 28%, indigenous beliefs 26%, other 8%
Languages: English (official), Swahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.1%
male: 86.3%
female: 70%
Government
Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kenya
conventional short form: Kenya
former: British East Africa
Data code: KE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Nairobi
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces and 1 area*; Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area*, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Western
Independence: 12 December 1963 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 December (1963)
Constitution: 12 December 1963, amended as a republic 1964; reissued with amendments 1979, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1991, and 1992
Legal system: based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law; judicial review in High Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations; constitutional amendment of 1982 making Kenya a de jure one-party state repealed in 1991
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI (since 14 October 1978) elected for a five-year term from the National Assembly by direct popular vote; election last held 29 December 1992 (next to be held by early 1998); results - President Daniel T. arap MOI was reelected with 37% of the vote; Kenneth MATIBA (FORD-ASILI) 26%; Mwai KIBAKI (DP) 19%, Oginga ODINGA (FORD-Kenya) 17%; Vice President George SAITOTI (since 10 May 1989) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Bunge): election last held 29 December 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (188 total) KANU 100, FORD-Kenya 31, FORD-Asili 31, DP 23, smaller parties 3; president nominates 12 additional members; note - as of 9 April 1996 seat distribution was: KANU 106, FORD-Kenya 32, FORD-Asili 22, DP 22, smaller parties and vacancies 6
note: first multiparty election since repeal of one-party state law in 1991
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party is Kenya African National Union (KANU), President Daniel Toroitich arap MOI; opposition parties include Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD-Kenya), Michael WAMALWA; Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD-Asili), Kenneth MATIBA; Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), Mwai KIBAKI
Other political or pressure groups: labor unions; Roman Catholic Church; unregistered SAFINA party with which prominent naturalist Richard Leakey is associated
International organization participation: ACP, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Benjamin Edgar KIPKORIR
chancery: 2249 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aurelia E. BRAZEAL
embassy: corner of Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi
mailing address: P. O. Box 30137, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831
telephone: [254] (2) 334141
FAX: [254] (2) 340838
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center

Economy
Economic overview: Kenya in recent years has had one of the highest natural rates of growth in population, but the statistics have been complicated by the large-scale movement of nomadic groups and of Somalis back and forth across the border. Population growth has been accompanied by deforestation, deterioration in the road system, the water supply, and other parts of the infrastructure. In industry and services, Nairobi's reluctance to embrace IMF-supported reforms had held back investment and growth in 1991-93. Nairobi's push on economic reform in 1994, however, helped support a 3.3% increase in output. The strong economy continued into 1995 with inflation cut sharply and GDP growth at 5%.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $36.8 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 19%
services: 54% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1995 est.)
Labor force:
by occupation: agriculture 75%-80% (1993 est.), non-agriculture 20%-25% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35% urban (1994 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $2.4 billion
expenditures: $2.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $740 million (1990 est.)
Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural processing; oil refining, cement; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity:
capacity: 810,000 kW
production: 3.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 117 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, tea, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs
Illicit drugs: widespread harvesting of small, wild plots of marijuana and qat (chat); most locally consumed; transit country for Southwest Asian heroin moving to West Africa and onward to Europe and North America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa
Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: tea 25%, coffee 18%, petroleum products 11% (1990)
partners: EC 47%, Africa 23%, Asia 11%, US 4%, Middle East 3% (1991)
Imports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 29%, petroleum and petroleum products 15%, iron and steel 7%, raw materials, food and consumer goods (1989)
partners: EC 46%, Asia 23%, Middle East 20%, US 5% (1991)
External debt: $7 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $589 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Kenyan shilling (KSh) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KSh) per US$1 - 56.715 (January 1996), 51.430 (1995), 56.051 (1994), 58.001 (1993), 32.217 (1992), 27.508 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation
Railways:
total: 2,652 km
narrow gauge: 2,652 km 1.000-m gauge
Highways:
total: 62,573 km
paved: 8,322 km
unpaved: 54,251 km (1991 est.)
Waterways: part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya
Pipelines: petroleum products 483 km
Ports: Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa
Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,883 GRT/6,255 DWT
ships by type: oil tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:
total: 199
with paved runways over 3,047 m: 3
with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 22
with paved runways under 914 m: 62
with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 95 (1995 est.)
Communications
Telephones: 357,251 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: in top group of African systems
domestic: primarily microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 260,000 (1993 est.)
Defense
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary General Service Unit of the Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,657,530
males fit for military service: 4,114,416 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $136 million, 1.9% of GDP (FY93/94)

Item	% Complete	Status	To complete (US $)
Planning	Nul	pending	1000.00
Translation	Nul	pending	7000.00
Recording	Nul	pending	11500.00
Broadcast	Nul	pending	16000.00
Total Cost Required To Complete $ 35500.00

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