Kenya lies across the equator in East-Central Africa, along the coast of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by Somalia to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and South Sudan to the northwest. The northern region is arid, while the southwest corner is part of the fertile Lake Victoria Basin. The Great Rift Valley runs through the country, separating the western highlands from the eastern lowlands.
Area: Kenya covers an area of 582,650 square kilometers (224,961 square miles).
Coastline: The country has a coastline that stretches for 536 kilometers along the Indian Ocean.
Climate: Kenya experiences two rainy seasons: from April to June and from October to early December. The coastal region is hot and humid year-round, tempered by strong onshore breezes. The lowlands are hot and dry, while the highlands, including Nairobi, have a more temperate climate with cool nights. Nairobi, situated at a high altitude, enjoys moderate temperatures with sunny and warm summers and mild to cool winters. The wettest period is late summer to autumn, characterized by cloudy and drizzly days.
Terrain: Kenya’s terrain varies significantly, from sea level at the Indian Ocean to 5,199 meters at the peak of Mount Kenya, which is snow-capped. The coastal belt and plains lie below 152 meters above sea level, transitioning to the dry intermediate low belt and then to the Kenya Highlands, which are over 900 meters above sea level. The low belt features residual hills, broken boulders, and inselbergs, with settlements primarily in areas where water is available. Wildlife dominates much of the low belt.
Natural Resources: Kenya is rich in natural resources, including limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, and hydropower.
Population: As of 2023, Kenya has an estimated population of approximately 54 million people.
Ethnic Groups: Kenya’s population is composed of various ethnic groups, primarily Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic. The Bantu, who make up over 70% of the population, reside mainly in the coastal areas and southwestern uplands. Significant Bantu groups include the Kikuyu, Kamba, and Luhya. The Nilotic groups, such as the Luo, Turkana, Maasai, Pokot, Nandi, Kipsigis, and Tugen, occupy areas from Lake Turkana to the Tanzania border. Cushitic groups, including the Somali and Galla, live in the eastern and northeastern regions. The Kikuyu, the largest single ethnic group, are predominantly located north of Nairobi and have played a major role in Kenya’s political and social development.
Languages: Kenya is a multilingual country with 42 languages spoken. The official languages are Swahili and English. Bantu languages are spoken in the center and southeast, Nilotic languages in the west, and Cushitic languages in the northeast.
Natural Hazards: Kenya faces recurring natural hazards such as droughts and flooding during the rainy seasons.
Environmental Issues: Kenya’s environmental challenges include deforestation due to uncontrolled tree cutting for fuel, overgrazing, soil exhaustion, soil erosion, and widespread poaching. The country is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which exacerbate these issues.