Moving to Kenya: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

58,246,378

Population Growth Rate

2.06%

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

Urban Population

• population: 29.5% of total population rate of
• urbanization: 4.09% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

5.325 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.440 million Mombassa

Population: Male/Female

• male: 29,091,800
• female: 29,154,578

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Age Structure

• years: 35.8% (male 10,464,384/female 10,366,997) 15-64
• years: 60.9% (male 17,731,068/female 17,723,012) 65 years and
• over: 3.4% (male 896,348/female 1,064,569)

Median Age

• total: 21.2 years
• male: 21.1 years
• female: 21.4 years

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

26

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

4.9

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

3.16

Gross reproduction rate

2

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

64.6%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

64.6%

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

56.8%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

20.3

Mother's mean age at first birth

20.3

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

• birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14
• years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64
• years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and
• over: 0.84 male(s)/female total
• population: 1 male(s)/female

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Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-0.2

Demographic profile

Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate.

Almost 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 as of 2020 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning.

Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources.

Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic.

Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at about 3 children as of 2022.

Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations.

Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa.

Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya was sheltering nearly 280,000 Somali refugees as of 2022.

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%

Language Note

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

Nationality Noun

• noun: Kenyan(s)
• adjective: Kenyan

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Literacy - total population

82.6%

Literacy - male

85.5%

Literacy - female

79.8%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.8%

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Life Expectancy at Birth

• population: 70.4 years
• male: 68.6 years
• female: 72.2 years

Infant Mortality Rate

• total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

• total: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births
• male: 29 deaths/1,000 live births
• female: 23.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

530

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.16

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.4

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

4.3%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

• risk: very high food or waterborne
• diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne
• diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, and sexually transmitted
• diseases: HIV/AIDS water contact
• diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact
• diseases: rabies
• note: on 31 August 2023, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.1%

Tobacco Use

• total: 11.1%
• male: 19.5%
• female: 2.7%

Alcohol consumption per capita

• total: 1.68 liters of pure alcohol
• beer: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol
• wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol
• spirits: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol other
• alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 91.3% of population
• rural: 63.3% of population
• total: 71.2% of population
• unimproved: urban: 8.7% of population
• rural: 36.7% of population
• total: 28.8% of population

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

• improved: urban: 84% of population
• rural: 48.1% of population
• total: 58.2% of population
• unimproved: urban: 16% of population
• rural: 51.9% of population
• total: 41.8% of population

Underweight - percent of children under five years

10.1%

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Economic Overview

Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa.

Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade.

Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold.

While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption.

Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population.

In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP.

About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities.

Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production.

Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy.

In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector.

Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders.

Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing.

Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment.

The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development.

International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018.

The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017.

In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed.

The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors.

This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy.

A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth.

Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018.

The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate.

While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive.

The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary.

Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing.

Industries

• small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing
• oil refining, cement
• tourism

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

6.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$226,940,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$3,300.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

6.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$63,120,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 78.7% government
• consumption: 13.7% investment in fixed
• capital: 23.6% investment in
• inventories: -1% exports of goods and
• services: 16.1% imports of goods and
• services: -31.1%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

29.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

19.5%

GDP by Sector- services

50.6%

Industrial Growth Rate

4%

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Inflation Rate

4.2%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Kenyan shilling (KES)

Currency Name and Code

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

17.1%

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Labor Force

17,940,000

Unemployment Rate

40%

Major Industries

• small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products processing
• oil refining, cement
• tourism

Agriculture Products

tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs

Population Below Poverty Line

50%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

2,146,058

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

26%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

75%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

25%

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Annual Budget

$7,017,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

67.4%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

17.4%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Kenya

Country Name

Kenya

Local - Long

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

Local - Short

Kenya

Former Name

British East Africa

Etymology- history of name

named for Mount Kenya; the meaning of the name is unclear but may derive from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Kamba words "kirinyaga," "kirenyaa," and "kiinyaa" - all of which mean "God's resting place"

Independence

12 December 1963 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010
• amendments: 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

Legal System:

mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in the new Supreme Court established by the new constitution

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• head of government: President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
• cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly
• elections/appointments: 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; election last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027)
• 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% 2017: Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (JP) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential election on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (68 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, 2 representing the disabled, and one Senate speaker; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (350 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled, and one Assembly speaker; members serve 5-year terms)
• elections:
• Senate - last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027)
• National Assembly - last held on 9 August 2022 (next to be held on 10 August 2027)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Kenya Kwanza 33, Azimio La Umoja 32, independent 2, other 1;
• composition - men 47, women 21, percent of women is 31%
• National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Kenya Kwanza alliance 176, Azimio La Umoja alliance 161, independent 12, other 1;
• Composition: men 268, women 82, percent of women 23%

Judicial Branch:

• 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
• subordinate courts: High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts

Regions or States:

• Summary: 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

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party [Raila ODINGA] (includes DAP-K, JP, KANU, KUP, MCC, MDG, ODM, PAA, UDM, UDP, UPA, UPIA, and WDM-K)
• Amani National Congress or ANC [Musalia MUDAVADI]
• Chama Cha Kazi or CCK [Moses KURIA]
• Democratic Action Party or DAP-K [Wafula WAMUNYINYI]
• Democratic Party or DP [Joseph MUNYAO, Chairman]
• Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya [Moses WETANGULA]
• Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP [Fabian KYULE]
• Jubilee Party or JP [Uhuru KENYATTA] (previously the National Alliance Pary)
• Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI]
• Kenya Kwanza coalition [William RUTO] (includes ANC, CCK, DP, FORD-Kenya, TSP, and UDA)
• Kenya Union Party or KUP [John LONYANGAPUO]
• Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC [Alfred MUTUA]
• Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG [David OCHIENG]
• National Agenda Party or NAP-K [Alfayo AGUFANA]
• National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU [Rodgers MPURU, Secretary General} Orange Democratic Movement or ODM [Raila ODINGA]
• Pamoja African Alliance or PAA [Amason KINGI]
• The Service Party or TSP [Mwangi KIUNJURI]
• United Democratic Alliance or UDA [William RUTO]
• United Democratic Movement or UDM [Philip MURGOR]
• United Democratic Party or UDP [Cyrus Jirongo]
• United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA [Ukur YATANI]
• United Progressive Alliance or UPA [Kenneth NYAMWAMU]
• Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K [Kalonzo MUSYOKA]
• Note: includes only parties with seats in the Senate and National Assembly

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years

Capital Name

Nairobi

Capital - geographic coordinate

1 17 S, 36 49 E

Capital Time Difference

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

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AfDB
• ATMIS
• AU
• 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

International Law Organization Participation:

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Margaret "Meg" WHITMAN (since 5 August 2022)
• Embassy: P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi
• Mailing Address: 8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC 20521-8900
• Telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000
• FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157
• Email: kenya_acs@state.gov
• Website: https://ke.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Lazarus Ombai AMAYO (since 17 July 2020)
• Chancery: 2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101
• FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829
• Email: information@kenyaembassydc.org
• Website: https://kenyaembassydc.org/#
• Consulate(s) General: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

1 00 N, 38 00 E

Total Area

224,080 Square Miles 580,367 Square Kilometers

Land Area

219,745 Square Miles 569,140 Square Kilometers

Water Area

4,335 Square Miles 11,227 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

2,161 Miles 3,477 Kilometers

Border Countries

Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Coastline

333 Miles 536 Kilometers

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Terrain

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Highest Point

5,199 Meters

Highest Point Location

Mount Kenya 5,199 m

Lowest Point Location

Indian Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

gold, limestone, soda ash, salt, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower

Irrigated Land

398 Square Miles 1,032 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

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

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Climate

Nairobi has four seasons, but overall temperature changes are moderate.

Mid‑ December through March are mainly sunny and warm by day, cool at night, and generally dry.

April and May constitute the principal rainy season with lower day temperatures.

The months of June through September are mainly dry, but often cloudy and cool, with cool nights.

October and November make up the short rainy season, with long sunny periods, warm days, and cool nights.

Average annual rainfall in Nairobi is about 39 inches, but the actual amount varies widely in any year.

Terrain

low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west

Location

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

Total Area

224,080 Square Miles 580,367 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Ethiopia 861 km, Somalia 682 km, Sudan 232 km, Tanzania 769 km, Uganda 933 km

Environment - Current Issues

• water pollution from urban and industrial wastes
• degradation of water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers
• water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria
• deforestation
• soil erosion
• desertification
• poaching

Environment - International Agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$5,141,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$10,400,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement

Major Imports

machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics

Top Export Partners

Uganda 18.5%, UK 13%, US 8.1%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 5%, Egypt 4.1%

Top Import Partners

UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, South Africa 8.1%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8%

Export Partners

Uganda 18.5%, UK 13%, US 8.1%, Netherlands 7.6%, Pakistan 5%, Egypt 4.1%

Import Partners

UAE 12%, Saudi Arabia 8.7%, South Africa 8.1%, US 8.1%, UK 7.1%, France 5.8%, China 5.5%, Japan 5%, India 4.8%

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Country Description

Kenya is a developing East African country known for its wildlife and national parks.

The capital city is Nairobi.

The second largest city is Mombasa, located on the southeast coast.

Tourist facilities are widely available in Nairobi, the game parks, the reserves, and on the coast.

English and Kiswahili are Kenya’s two official languages.

Safety & Security

All travelers to Kenya should review the Department of State’s Travel Warning for Kenya that provides detailed information about security issues affecting the country.

Though thousands of U.S. citizens visit Kenya safely each year, the U.S. government continues to receive information regarding potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya.

Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bomb and grenade attacks, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.

Although there have been recent gains in the pursuit of those responsible for previous terrorist activities, many of those involved remain at large and continue to operate in the region.

Travelers should consult the Worldwide Caution on the Travel.State.Gov website for further information and details.

Kenya initiated military action against al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaabby crossing into Somalia on October 16, 2011, and, on June 2, 2012, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whereby it formally joined the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Kenyan troops within AMISOM are now actively pursuing al-Shabaab in southeastern Somalia.

In response to the Kenyan intervention, al-Shabaab and its sympathizers have conducted retaliatory attacks against civilian and government targets in Kenya.

In the past year, there have been numerous attacks involving grenades or explosive devices in Kenya.

At least 76 people died in these attacks, and around 220 people were injured.

No U.S. citizens were among the casualties.

Approximately twenty-five of these attacks occurred in North Eastern Province, mainly in Dadaab, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa.

Four attacks occurred in Mombasa.

Twelve grenade and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks have occurred in Nairobi, illustrating an increase in the number of attacks and an advance in the sophistication of attacks.

Targets included police stations and police vehicles, nightclubs and bars, churches, a mosque, a religious gathering, a downtown building of small shops, and a bus station.

One of the deadliest attacks occurred in Nairobi on November 18, 2012, when an IED detonated on a passenger bus in Eastleigh, killing ten.

Seventeen people were killed and about 50 people were injured in a deadly attack on July 1, 2012, with two simultaneous assaults on churches in Garissa.

Additionally, Kenyan law enforcement has disrupted several terrorist plots, which resulted in the discoveries of weapons caches and other dangerous materials, and the arrests of several individuals.

Multiple kidnappings of Westerners have occurred in Kenya.

In September 2011, a British woman was kidnapped and her husband murdered at a coastal resort near the Kenya-Somali border.

The British hostage was released in March 2012 after payment of ransom.

In October 2011, a French national was kidnapped from a private residence on the popular tourist destination of Lamu Island on Kenya's north coast.

She died while in captivity in Somalia.

Also in October 2011, two Spanish nationals working for a NGO were kidnapped in Dadaab refugee camp, in northeastern Kenya.

They are still being held.

On June 29, 2012, four international aid workers (from Canada, Pakistan, Norway, and the Philippines) were kidnapped in Dadaab.

All were rescued on July 1, 2012.

Following a series of security incidents attributed to violent extremists, including al-Shabaab, the Government of Kenya announced on December 13, 2012 that all urban refugees (primarily Somalis) should relocate to refugee camps.

This directive is being challenged in court and is not currently being enforced; however, U.S. citizens of Somali descent should be aware that they may encounter interruptions in their travel due to increased police scrutiny based on the directive.

It is very important to carry proof of identity and legal status in Kenya (e.g., valid visa).

If you are detained by police or immigration officials, you should request to speak

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Crime

Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings, grenade attacks, home invasions and burglaries, and kidnappings can occur at any time and in any location.

U.S. citizens, including U.S.

Embassy employees, have been victims of such crimes within the past year.

Crime is high in all regions of Kenya, particularly Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and at coastal beach resorts.

There are regular reports of attacks against tourists by groups of armed assailants.

Pickpockets and thieves carry out "snatch and run" crimes on city streets and near crowds.

Visitors have found it safer not to carry valuables, but rather to store them in hotel safety deposit boxes or safe rooms.

However, there have been reports of safes being stolen from hotel rooms and hotel desk staff being forced to open safes.

Walking alone or at night, especially in downtown areas, public parks, along footpaths, on beaches, and in poorly lit areas, is dangerous and discouraged.

Nairobi averages about ten vehicle hijackings per day and Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter and investigate such acts.

Matatus (public transportation) tend to be targeted since they carry up to 14 passengers.

Although these attacks are often violent, victims are generally not injured if they do not resist.

There is also a high incidence of residential break-ins and occupants should take additional security measures to protect their property.

Thieves and con artists have been known to impersonate police officers, thus U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to ask for identification if approached by individuals identifying themselves as police officials, uniformed or not.

U.S. citizens have fallen victim to such crimes within the past year.

U.S. citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant with regard to their personal security, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship.

U.S. citizens should also remain alert in residential areas, at schools, and at outdoor recreational events.

Thieves routinely snatch jewelry and other objects from open vehicle windows while motorists are either stopped at traffic lights or in heavy traffic.

Vehicle windows should be up and doors locked regardless of the time of day or weather.

Thieves on matatus, buses, and trains may steal valuables from inattentive passengers.

U.S. citizens should guard their backpacks or hand luggage and ensure these items are not left unattended.

Purchasing items from street vendors is strongly discouraged – visitors should only use reputable stores or businesses.

Many scams, perpetrated against unsuspecting tourists, are prevalent in and around the city of Nairobi.

Many of these involve people impersonating police officers and using fake police ID badges and other credentials.

Nevertheless, police checkpoints are common in Kenya and all vehicles are required to stop if directed to do so.

Highway banditry is common in much of Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, and northern Tana River counties, as well as Turkana county.

These areas are remote and sparsely populated.

Incidents also occur occasionally on Kenya's main highways, particularly after dark.

Due to increased bandit activity, air travel is the recommended means of transportation when visiting any of the coastal resorts north of Malindi.

Travelers to North Eastern Kenya and the North Rift Valley Region should travel with police escorts or convoys organized by the government of Kenya.

There have been reports of armed banditry in or near many of Kenya's national parks and game reserves, particularly the Samburu, Leshaba, and Masai Mara game reserves.

In response, the Kenya Wildlife Service and police have taken steps to strengthen security in the affected areas, but the problem has not been eliminated.

Travelers who do not use the services of reputable travel firms or knowledgeable guides or drivers are especially at risk.

Safaris are best undertak

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Kenya, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

Driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

There are also some activities that might be legal in Kenya, but illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law.

For example, engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Kenya, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It is very important to know what is legal and what is not where you are going.

Persons violating Kenya's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in Kenya are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Kenya has recently enacted strict legislation regulating the sale and consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.

Please see the Special Circumstances section below.

Arrest notifications in host country: Kenya is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), and is required by the VCCR to ask any detained U.S. citizen if he/she would like the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi.

Frequent outbreaks of cholera and malaria are endemic in Kenya outside Nairobi.

In addition, diseases such as Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, and anthrax from handling sheep skins occur periodically.

Travelers, who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking.

For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health web site.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Kenya.

For further information, please consult the CDC's Information on TB.

On May 17, the CDC issued a Travel Notice regarding an outbreak of dengue in Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and a major tourist destination.

Dengue is spread by mosquitoes, and travelers to Kenya’s coastal areas should plan to protect themselves from mosquito bites through covering exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, and using insect repellent as directed on the packaging.

For more information on dengue, please visit the CDC web page on dengue.

The CDC issued a Travel Notice on June 3, regarding the recent diagnosis of polio in Kenya.

All travelers to Kenya and surrounding countries should be fully vaccinated against polio.

In addition, adults previously vaccinated as children should receive a one-time booster dose of polio vaccine.

Traffic Safety

Road Conditions and Safety: Road accidents are a major threat to travelers in Kenya.

Roads are poorly maintained and are often bumpy, potholed, and unpaved. • Traffic moves on the left side of the road, which can be very disorienting to those not accustomed to it. • Beware of vehicles traveling at excessive speed, and unpredictable local driving habits. • Many vehicles are poorly maintained and lack basic safety equipment. • Heavy traffic jams, either due to rush hour or because of accidents, are common. • Some vehicles will cross the median strip and drive against the flow of traffic.

U.S. citizens have been fatally injured in accidents involving long-distance, inter-city buses and local buses and vans called “matatus”.

Matatus are commonly known to be the greatest danger to other vehicles and pedestrians.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using matatus.

Injuries and fatalities involving two-wheeled motorcycle taxis, called “boda bodas,” are equally common.

Boda bodas often fail to observe basic safety precautions and ignore traffic rules.

Inter-city nighttime road travel should be avoided due to the poor road and streetlight conditions and the threat of banditry throughout the country.

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using boda bodas.

During the rainy season, some unpaved roads are impassable even with four-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance.

Travelers are urged to consult with local officials regarding road conditions.

Most passenger trains are considered unsafe, particularly during rainy seasons, because of the lack of routine maintenance and safety checks.

The only approved train route for U.S. government personnel is the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa.

However, passengers should ride only in the first-class cabin to avoid pickpockets and facilitate a rapid exit if necessary.

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Airports - total

197

Airports with Paved Runways

16

Railways

1,284 Miles 2,066 Kilometers

Roadways- total

99,965 Miles 160,878 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

6,953 Miles 11,189 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa

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Pipelines: Oil

2 Miles 4 Kilometers

Pipelines: Refined Products

577 Miles 928 Kilometers

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Telephones

664,100

Cell Phones

11,440,000

Internet Users

3,000,000

Internet Country Code

.ke

Internet Hosts

47,676

Broadcast Media

• about a half-dozen privately owned TV stations and a state-owned TV broadcaster that operates 2 channels
• 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
• a large number of private radio stations, including provincial stations broadcasting in local languages
• transmissions of several international broadcasters available

Telephone System

• assessment: inadequate; fixed-line telephone system is small and inefficient; trunks are primarily microwave radio relay; business data commonly transferred by a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system
• domestic: sole fixed-line provider, Telkom Kenya, is slated for privatization; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 65 per 100 persons in 2011
• international: country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

4,863,000,000

Electricity Exports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

58,300,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

22,500,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

5,223,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

79,410

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

31,040

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Anthem History

• name: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)
• 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
• note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song

Anthem Lyrics

KiSwahili (verse:1) Ee Mungu nguvu yetu Ilete baraka kwetu Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi Natukae na udugu Amani na uhuru Raha tupate na ustawi (verse:2) Amkeni ndugu zetu Tufanye sote bidii Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu Nchi yetu ya Kenya Tunayoipenda Tuwe tayari kuilinda (verse:3) Natujenge taifa letu Ee, ndio wajibu wetu Kenya istahili heshima Tuungane mikono Pamoja kazini Kila siku tuwe na shukrani

Anthem Lyrics English

O God of all creation Bless this our land and nation Justice be our shield and defender May we dwell in unity Peace and liberty Plenty be found within our borders.

(verse:2) Let one and all arise With hearts both strong and true Service be our earnest endeavor And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendor Firm may we stand to defend.

(verse:3) Let all with one accord In common bond united Build this our nation together And the glory of Kenya The fruit of our labor Fill every heart with thanksgiving.