Kenya Facts, Map, Population, GDP

Capital

Nairobi

Population

55,751,717 (2025 est.)

Area

580,367 sq km

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania

🧭 Background

Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. In 1895, the British established the East Africa Protectorate, which in 1920 was converted into a colony, and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963. Jomo KENYATTA, the founding president and an icon of the liberation struggle, led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel Arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make itself the sole legal political party. MOI gave in to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in 1991, but the ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud. MOI stepped down in 2002 after fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA, the son of the founding president, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform. Opposition candidate Raila ODINGA challenged KIBAKI's reelection in 2007 on the grounds of widespread vote rigging, leading to two months of ethnic violence that caused more than 1,100 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands. African Union-sponsored mediation resulted in a power-sharing accord that brought ODINGA into the government as prime minister and outlined a reform agenda. In 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly voted to adopt a new constitution that eliminated the prime minister, introduced additional checks and balances to executive power, and devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in 2013. He won a second and final term in office in 2017 after a contentious repeat election. In 2022, William RUTO won a close presidential election; he assumed the office the following month after the Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the victory.

🗺️ 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

580,367 sq km

Area — land

569,140 sq km

Area — water

11,227 sq km

Area - comparative

Five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada

Land boundaries — total

3,457 km

Land boundaries — border countries

Ethiopia 867 km; Somalia 684 km; South Sudan 317 km; Tanzania 775 km; Uganda 814 km

Coastline

536 km

Maritime claims — territorial sea

12 nm

Maritime claims — exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Maritime claims — continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

Elevation — highest point

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Elevation — lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Elevation — mean elevation

762 m

Natural resources

Limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower

Land use — agricultural land

49.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 36.7% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

6.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

44% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

1,030 sq km (2012)

Major lakes (area sq km) — fresh water lake(s)

Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km

Major lakes (area sq km) — salt water lake(s)

Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km

Major watersheds (area sq km) — Atlantic Ocean drainage

(Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

Major aquifers

Ogaden-Juba Basin

Population distribution

Population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

Recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons volcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano

Geography - note

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; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second-largest freshwater lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

👥 People and Society⬆️ Top

Population — total

55,751,717 (2025 est.)

Population — male

27,857,519

Population — female

27,894,198

Nationality — noun

Kenyan(s)

Nationality — adjective

Kenyan

Ethnic groups

Kikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% (2019 est.)

Languages — Languages

English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages

Languages — major-language sample(s)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili)

Religions

Christian 85.5% (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4%, African Instituted Churches 7%, other Christian 4.1%), Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2% (2019 est.)

Age structure — 0-14 years

35.8% (male 10,464,384/female 10,366,997)

Age structure — 15-64 years

60.9% (male 17,731,068/female 17,723,012)

Age structure — 65 years and over

3.4% (2024 est.) (male 896,348/female 1,064,569)

Dependency ratios — total dependency ratio

64 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — youth dependency ratio

58.5 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — elderly dependency ratio

5.5 (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios — potential support ratio

18.2 (2025 est.)

Median age — total

21.5 years (2025 est.)

Median age — male

21.1 years

Median age — female

21.4 years

Population growth rate

2.15% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

25.93 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

Population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization — urban population

29.5% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

4.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

5.325 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.440 million Mombassa (2023)

Sex ratio — at birth

1.02 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 0-14 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — 65 years and over

0.84 male(s)/female

Sex ratio — total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3 years (2014 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

379 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate — total

26.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate — male

29 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant mortality rate — female

23.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth — total population

70.4 years (2024 est.)

Life expectancy at birth — male

68.6 years

Life expectancy at birth — female

72.2 years

Total fertility rate

3.09 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.53 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: urban

Urban: 86.4% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: rural

Rural: 53.3% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — improved: total

Total: 62.9% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: urban

Urban: 13.6% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: rural

Rural: 46.7% of population (2022 est.)

Drinking water source — unimproved: total

Total: 37.1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

4.5% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure — Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

8.7% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.29 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: urban

Urban: 84.7% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: rural

Rural: 51.1% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — improved: total

Total: 60.9% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: urban

Urban: 15.3% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: rural

Rural: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access — unimproved: total

Total: 39.1% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.1% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita — total

1.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — beer

0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — wine

0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — spirits

0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita — other alcohols

0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use — total

8.6% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — male

15.5% (2025 est.)

Tobacco use — female

1.9% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.8% (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

53.2% (2022 est.)

Child marriage — women married by age 15

2.2% (2022)

Child marriage — women married by age 18

12.5% (2022)

Child marriage — men married by age 18

1.8% (2022)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% GDP)

4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Education expenditure — Education expenditure (% national budget)

28.5% national budget (2025 est.)

🌿 Environment⬆️ Top

Environmental issues

Water pollution from urban and industrial wastes and from use of pesticides and fertilizers; flooding; water-hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching

International environmental agreements — party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

International environmental agreements — signed, but not ratified

None of the selected agreements

Climate

Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior

Land use — agricultural land

49.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: arable land

Arable land: 11.4% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent crops

Permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.)

Land use — agricultural land: permanent pasture

Permanent pasture: 36.7% (2023 est.)

Land use — forest

6.5% (2023 est.)

Land use — other

44% (2023 est.)

Urbanization — urban population

29.5% of total population (2023)

Urbanization — rate of urbanization

4.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — total emissions

19.023 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from coal and metallurgical coke

3.316 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions — from petroleum and other liquids

15.707 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

12.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions — energy

334.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Methane emissions — agriculture

1,241 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Methane emissions — waste

127.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Methane emissions — other

32.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling — municipal solid waste generated annually

5.595 million tons (2024 est.)

Waste and recycling — percent of municipal solid waste recycled

19.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — municipal

495 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — industrial

303 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal — agricultural

3.234 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

30.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

🏛️ Government⬆️ Top

Country name — conventional long form

Republic of Kenya

Country name — conventional short form

Kenya

Country name — local long form

Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili)

Country name — local short form

Kenya

Country name — former

British East Africa

Country name — etymology

Named for Mount Kenya; the mountain's name may derive from the Kikuyu word kere nyaga, or "white mountain"

Government type

Presidential republic

Capital — name

Nairobi

Capital — geographic coordinates

1 17 S, 36 49 E

Capital — time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Capital — etymology

The name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters," which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi

Administrative divisions

47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita/Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir, West Pokot

Legal system

Mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; Supreme Court reviews laws

Constitution — history

Current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010

Constitution — amendment process

Amendments can be proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% of eligible voters in at least one half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president

International law organization participation

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship — citizenship by birth

No

Citizenship — citizenship by descent only

At least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya

Citizenship — dual citizenship recognized

Yes

Citizenship — residency requirement for naturalization

4 out of the previous 7 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch — chief of state

President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)

Executive branch — head of government

President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)

Executive branch — cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly

Executive branch — election/appointment process

President and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by majority vote nationwide and at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties; failure to meet these thresholds requires a runoff between the top two candidates

Executive branch — most recent election date

9 August 2022

Executive branch — election results

2022: William RUTO elected president in first round; percent of vote - William RUTO (UDA) 50.5%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 48.9%, other 0.6%

Executive branch — expected date of next election

10 August 2027

Legislative branch — legislature name

Parliament of Kenya

Legislative branch — legislative structure

Bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber — chamber name

National Assembly

Legislative branch - lower chamber — number of seats

350 (all directly elected)

Legislative branch - lower chamber — electoral system

Plurality/majority

Legislative branch - lower chamber — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch - lower chamber — term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - lower chamber — most recent election date

8/9/2022

Legislative branch - lower chamber — parties elected and seats per party

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) (145); Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (86); Jubilee Party (JP) (28); Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) (26); Others (19); Other (45)

Legislative branch - lower chamber — percentage of women in chamber

23.4%

Legislative branch - lower chamber — expected date of next election

August 2027

Legislative branch - upper chamber — chamber name

Senate

Legislative branch - upper chamber — number of seats

68 (all directly elected)

Legislative branch - upper chamber — electoral system

Plurality/majority

Legislative branch - upper chamber — scope of elections

Full renewal

Legislative branch - upper chamber — term in office

5 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber — most recent election date

8/9/2022

Legislative branch - upper chamber — parties elected and seats per party

Kenya Kwanza Alliance (33); Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Coalition Party (32); Other (1)

Legislative branch - upper chamber — percentage of women in chamber

31.3%

Legislative branch - upper chamber — expected date of next election

August 2027

Judicial branch — highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges)

Judicial branch — judge selection and term of office

Chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointed by the president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JSC and appointed by president; chief justice serves a nonrenewable 10-year term or until age 70, whichever comes first; other judges serve until age 70

Judicial branch — subordinate courts

High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts

Political parties

Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party Amani National Congress or ANC Chama Cha Kazi or CCK Democratic Action Party or DAP-K Democratic Party or DP Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP Jubilee Party or JP Kenya African National Union or KANU Kenya Kwanza coalition Kenya Union Party or KUP Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG National Agenda Party or NAP-K National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU Orange Democratic Movement or ODM Pamoja African Alliance or PAA] The Service Party or TSP United Democratic Alliance or UDA United Democratic Movement or UDM United Democratic Party or UDP United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA United Progressive Alliance or UPA Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K

Diplomatic representation in the US — chief of mission

Ambassador David Kipkorir Kiplagat KERICH (since 18 September 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US — chancery

2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation in the US — telephone

[1] (202) 387-6101

Diplomatic representation in the US — FAX

[1] (202) 462-3829

Diplomatic representation in the US — email address and website

Information@kenyaembassydc.org https://kenyaembassydc.org/#

Diplomatic representation in the US — consulate(s)

New York

Diplomatic representation from the US — chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. BURNS (since 25 August 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US — embassy

P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi

Diplomatic representation from the US — mailing address

8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC 20521-8900

Diplomatic representation from the US — telephone

[254] (20) 363-6000

Diplomatic representation from the US — FAX

[254] (20) 363-6157

Diplomatic representation from the US — email address and website

Kenya_acs@state.gov https://ke.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCT, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO

Independence

12 December 1963 (from the UK)

National holiday

Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963)

Flag

Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is at the center meaning: black stands for the majority population, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom

National symbol(s)

Lion

National color(s)

Black, red, green, white

National coat of arms

The two lions symbolize protection as they hold a traditional East African shield and spears in defense of freedom and unity; the shield features the national colors: black for the people, green for agriculture and natural resources, red for the struggle for freedom, and white for unity and peace; on the shield, a rooster greets the new day, and the axe represents both authority and the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) that led the country to independence; at the base of the shield is Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak; the scroll has the Swahili word Harambee, meaning “all for one” or “pulling together”

National anthem(s) — title

"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (O God of All Creation)

National anthem(s) — lyrics/music

Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE

National anthem(s) — history

Adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

National heritage — total World Heritage Sites

8(5 cultural, 3 natural)

National heritage — selected World Heritage Site locales

Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c); The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (c)

💹 Economy⬆️ Top

Economic overview

Fast growing, third largest Sub-Saharan economy; strong agriculture sector with emerging services and tourism industries; IMF program to address current account and debt service challenges; business-friendly policies foster infrastructure investment, digital innovation and public-private partnerships; vulnerable to climate change-induced droughts

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$328.632 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$314.491 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) — Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$297.938 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2024

4.5% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2023

5.6% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate — Real GDP growth rate 2022

4.9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2024

$5,800 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2023

$5,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita — Real GDP per capita 2022

$5,500 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$124.499 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

4.5% (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

7.7% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) — Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

7.7% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — agriculture

21.3% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — industry

16.1% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin — services

55.9% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — household consumption

75.5% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — government consumption

11.5% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in fixed capital

17.7% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — investment in inventories

-0.9% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — exports of goods and services

11.1% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use — imports of goods and services

-19.2% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

Sugarcane, milk, maize, bananas, tea, potatoes, cassava, cabbages, camel milk, mangoes/guavas (2023)

Industries

Agriculture, transportation, services, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, tourism, retail

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2024 est.)

Labor force

23.781 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2024

5.5% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2023

5.6% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate — Unemployment rate 2022

5.8% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — total

11.9% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — male

8.3% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) — female

16% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

38.6% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income — Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

38.7 (2021 est.)

Average household expenditures — on food

42.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Average household expenditures — on alcohol and tobacco

3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share — lowest 10%

2.9% (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share — highest 10%

31.8% (2021 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2023

3.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2022

3.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances — Remittances 2021

3.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget — revenues

$20.202 billion (2023 est.)

Budget — expenditures

$30.924 billion (2023 est.)

Public debt — Public debt 2016

53.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2023

-$4.317 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2022

-$5.889 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance — Current account balance 2021

-$5.597 billion (2021 est.)

Exports — Exports 2023

$12.626 billion (2023 est.)

Exports — Exports 2022

$13.954 billion (2022 est.)

Exports — Exports 2021

$11.815 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

Uganda 10%, USA 10%, UAE 8%, Netherlands 8%, Pakistan 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities

Tea, cut flowers, garments, gold, tropical fruits (2023)

Imports — Imports 2023

$22.046 billion (2023 est.)

Imports — Imports 2022

$24.606 billion (2022 est.)

Imports — Imports 2021

$22.001 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

China 22%, UAE 14%, India 10%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities

Refined petroleum, palm oil, wheat, plastics, garments (2023)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$10.067 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$7.342 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold — Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$7.969 billion (2022 est.)

Debt - external — Debt - external 2023

$31.451 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Currency

Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar -

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2024

134.822 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2023

139.846 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2022

117.866 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2021

109.638 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates — Exchange rates 2020

106.451 (2020 est.)

⚡ Energy⬆️ Top

Electricity access — electrification - total population

76% (2022 est.)

Electricity access — electrification - urban areas

98%

Electricity access — electrification - rural areas

65.6%

Electricity — installed generating capacity

3.824 million kW (2023 est.)

Electricity — consumption

10.002 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — exports

34 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — imports

316 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity — transmission/distribution losses

3.069 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — fossil fuels

10.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — solar

4.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — wind

15.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — hydroelectricity

20.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — geothermal

47.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources — biomass and waste

1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal — consumption

1.453 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — exports

30 metric tons (2023 est.)

Coal — imports

1.453 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum — refined petroleum consumption

113,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita — Total energy consumption per capita 2023

5.486 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

📡 Communications⬆️ Top

Telephones - fixed lines — total subscriptions

68,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

(2023 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular — total subscriptions

71.4 million (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

126 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

About a half-dozen large, privately owned media companies with TV and radio stations, as well as a state-owned TV broadcaster, provide service nationwide; satellite and cable TV subscription services available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; many private radio stations broadcast nationally, with over 100 private and non-profit regional stations broadcasting in local languages; TV transmissions of all major international broadcasters available, mostly via paid subscriptions (2019)

Internet country code

.ke

Internet users — percent of population

35% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — total

1.32 million (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions — subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (2023 est.)

🚚 Transportation⬆️ Top

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5Y

Airports

368 (2025)

Railways — total

3,819 km (2018)

Railways — standard gauge

485 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge

Railways — narrow gauge

3,334 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge

Merchant marine — total

26 (2023)

Merchant marine — by type

Oil tanker 4, other 22

Ports — total ports

4 (2024)

Ports — large

0

Ports — medium

1

Ports — small

2

Ports — very small

1

Ports — ports with oil terminals

1

Ports — key ports

Kilifi, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa

🛡️ Military and Security⬆️ Top

Military and security forces

Kenya Defense Forces (KDF): Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force Ministry of Interior: National Police Service, Kenya Coast Guard (2025)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2024

1.1% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2023

1.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2022

1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2021

1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military expenditures — Military Expenditures 2020

1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

Approximately 25,000 active Kenya Defense Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The KDF's inventory is a mix of older, donated/secondhand, and some modern weapon systems from a variety of sources; major suppliers have included China, France, South Africa, Türkiye, the UK, and the US; in 2023, the Kenyan Government unveiled a five-year defense spending plan with a focus on upgraded military equipment, including aerial surveillance drones, tactical vehicles, and air defense systems (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18-26 years of age for voluntary service for men and women (under 18 with parental consent; upper limit 30 years of age for specialists, tradesmen, or women with a diploma; 39 years of age for chaplains/imams); 7-9 year service obligations (2026)

Military deployments

400 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); approximately 1,400 Somalia (African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia or AUSSOM) (2025)

Military - note

The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) are responsible for protecting the country's sovereignty and territory and assisting civil authorities in responding to emergency, disaster, or political unrest as requested; the KDF's chief security concerns include regional disputes and instability, maritime crime and piracy, and the threat posed by the Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorist group, which has conducted attacks inside Kenya; it has conducted operations in neighboring Somalia since 2011 and taken part in numerous regional peacekeeping and security missions; the KDF is a leading member of the Africa Standby Force; it participates in multinational exercises, and has ties to a variety of foreign militaries, including those of France, the UK, and the US the Kenya Military Forces were created following independence in 1963; the current KDF was established and its composition laid out in the 2010 constitution; it is governed by the Kenya Defense Forces Act of 2012; the Army traces its origins back to the Kings African Rifles (KAR), a British colonial regiment raised from Britain's East Africa possessions from 1902 until independence in the 1960s; the KAR conducted both military and internal security functions within the colonial territories, and served outside the territories during both World Wars (2025)

🛰️ Space⬆️ Top

Space agency/agencies

Kenya Space Agency (KSA; established 2017) (2025)

Space launch site(s)

Luigi Broglio Space Center (aka Malindi Space Center, Malindi Station, San Marco Satellite Launching and Tracking Station; Kilifi County; over 20 sounding rockets and nine satellites launched from the site, 1967-1989); in 2020, Kenya concluded a new deal with Italy to conduct rocket launches from the site again in the future (2025)

Space program overview

Has a national space strategy focused on acquiring and applying space technologies for agriculture, communications, disaster and resource management, security, urban planning, and weather monitoring; jointly develops and builds nanosatellites with foreign partners; operates satellites; researching and developing satellite payloads and imagery data analysis capabilities; has cooperated on space issues with China, Japan, India, Italy, and the US, as well as a variety of African partners; member of the African Space Agency (2025)

Key space-program milestones

1970 - first satellite (US-made Uhura) launched from Kenya 2008 - established country's first satellite ground station 2018 - first remote-sensing (RS)/technology-demonstrator cube nanosatellite (1KUNS-PF) produced jointly with Japan and Italy and deployed from the International Space Station 2023 - first domestically designed RS satellite (TAIFA-1) built by Bulgaria and launched by US

🚨 Terrorism⬆️ Top

Terrorist group(s)

Al-Shabaab

🌐 Transnational Issues⬆️ Top

Refugees and internally displaced persons — refugees

823,904 (2024 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced persons — IDPs

284,886 (2024 est.)

Refugees and internally displaced persons — stateless persons

9,800 (2024 est.)