Country Profile: Kenya

Kenya, located in Eastern Africa and bordered by the Indian Ocean, features a diverse geography that ranges from tropical coastal regions to arid interior areas. With a population of approximately 55.8 million, the nation is characterized by a rich cultural tapestry including various ethnic groups and languages, with English and Kiswahili as the official languages. The economy is the third largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, largely driven by agriculture, alongside emerging sectors in services and tourism. Kenya operates as a presidential republic, with a democratic political system that has evolved significantly since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1963.

Geography

Kenya's geographical landscape is marked by low plains that rise into central highlands, and it boasts significant natural resources, including wildlife and minerals. The country covers a total area of 580,367 square kilometers, with an extensive coastline of 536 kilometers along the Indian Ocean. The climate varies widely, contributing to diverse ecosystems and agricultural opportunities.

3,457 km of land boundaries shared with Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Highest point: Mount Kenya at 5,199 m; lowest point: Indian Ocean at 0 m.
About 49.5% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.).
11.4% of agricultural land is arable (2023 est.).
Home to Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake (shared with Tanzania and Uganda).

People and Society

Kenya is home to a vibrant mix of over 40 ethnic groups, with the Kikuyu, Luhya, and Luo being the largest. The population is estimated at 55,751,717 as of 2025, displaying a youthful demographic, with a median age of 21.5 years. The majority of Kenyans identify as Christian, while a significant Muslim community exists, particularly along the coastal regions.

35.8% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.).
Life expectancy stands at 70.4 years (2024 est.).
Urban population comprises 29.5% of total population (2023).
25.93 births/1,000 population birth rate (2025 est.).
Approximately 1 male/female sex ratio in total population (2024 est.).

Economy

The Kenyan economy is one of the fastest-growing in Sub-Saharan Africa, underpinned by agriculture, manufacturing, and an expanding services sector. In 2024, the GDP is estimated to reach $328.632 billion (PPP), with a growth rate of 4.5%. Despite the growth, challenges remain, particularly concerning the impacts of climate change on agriculture.

55.9% of GDP from services sector (2024 est.).
21.3% of GDP from agriculture (2024 est.).
5.5% unemployment rate (2024 est.).
38.6% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2021 est.).
Exports in 2023 estimated at $12.626 billion.

Government

Kenya is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The current president, William Ruto, has been in office since September 2022. Kenya comprises 47 counties for administrative purposes, and the legal system is based on a mix of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law.

Constitution enacted on August 4, 2010.
Universal suffrage at age 18.
Most recent presidential election held on August 9, 2022.
Parliament consists of a bicameral legislature: the National Assembly and the Senate.

Military and Security

The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), which includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force, plays a crucial role in maintaining national security. The military budget is approximately 1.1% of GDP as of 2024. The KDF is actively involved in regional peacekeeping missions and has been engaged in operations against terrorism, particularly concerning threats from the al-Shabaab group.

KDF comprises approximately 25,000 active personnel (2025).
400 troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2025).
1,400 troops deployed in Somalia (AUSSOM).

Energy

Kenya is making significant strides in renewable energy, particularly in geothermal and wind power. As of 2023, the country has an installed electricity generation capacity of 3.824 million kW and aims for wider access to electricity.

76% of the population has access to electricity (2022 est.).
47.2% of electricity capacity from geothermal sources (2023 est.).
Total electricity consumption reached 10.002 billion kWh (2023 est.).

Environment

Kenya faces various environmental challenges, including water pollution and deforestation, compounded by climate change. The government has engaged in international agreements to address issues such as biodiversity and climate change, while initiatives are underway to manage natural resources sustainably.

19.9% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).
Approximately 30.7 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 est.).
Major environmental concerns include flooding, deforestation, and poaching.

Transportation

Kenya's transportation infrastructure includes an extensive network of railways and a growing aviation sector, with 368 airports and a merchant fleet of 26 vessels (2023).

Total railways extend for 3,819 km (2018).
Major ports include Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu.
Civil aircraft registration code: 5Y.

Communications

The communication landscape in Kenya is rapidly evolving, with a strong mobile cellular network and increasing internet usage among the population.

71.4 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
Internet penetration at 35% of the population (2023 est.).
68,000 fixed-line subscribers as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	55,751,717	Estimated for 2025
Area	580,367 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$328.632 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	25.93 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Life Expectancy	70.4 years	Estimated for 2024
Access to Electricity	76%	Estimated for 2022
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	5.486 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Refugees	823,904	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditure % of GDP	1.1%	Estimated for 2024