Kenia

Kenia, known in English as Kenya, is a country in East Africa. Officially the Republic of Kenya, it is bordered by Somalia to the east, Ethiopia to the north, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south-west, and the Indian Ocean to the south-east. Its capital and largest city is Nairobi. The population is about 53 to 54 million, and the country is linguistically diverse.

Geography and environment: The country ranges from coastal plains to highlands and the Great Rift Valley. Mount Kenya is the highest peak. Climate varies from tropical along the coast to temperate in the highlands. Kenya is renowned for wildlife and safaris, with protected areas such as Maasai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo. UNESCO World Heritage sites include Mount Kenya National Park and the Lamu Archipelago.

History and government: Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 and became a republic in 1964. The 2010 constitution introduced devolution to 47 counties. The country has a presidential representative system with a bicameral Parliament (Senate and National Assembly). As of 2024, William Ruto is the president.

Economy and society: Kenya has a diversified economy, with agriculture—notably tea, coffee, and horticulture—a major export sector, along with services, manufacturing, and tourism. The Kenyan shilling is the currency. Official languages are English and Swahili; many other languages are spoken. The country faces development challenges but has a growing tech sector and strong regional trade links.