Kenya

THE COUNTRY

Kenya is a country located in the east of the African continent. It borders Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.

Do you know where each of these border countries is located ? Let’s check by playing this drag-and-drop game!

In 2020 Kenya had a population of 54 million people.

Languages

Kenya has got over 42 ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has its own language, but commonly used languages for trading and official communication are Swahili and English.

Kenyan Cities

Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu are Kenya’s largest cities. There are many major towns all over the country.

PROVINCES

Kenya is divided into 8 provinces

1. Central province
2. Coast province
3. Eastern province
4. Nairobi
5. North Eastern province
6. Nyanza province
7. Rift Valley Province
8. Western Province

HISTORY

In 2000BC Cushite speaking people arrived from the region of present-day Ethiopia. In Kenya these people are the Borana, Burji, El Molo, Gabbra, Merille, Orma, Rendille and Somali tribes.

In 500BC the Nilotes arrived in Kenya from the Nile River. They are classified in three distinct groups:

The River and Lake Nilotes: Luo tribe is the only River and Lake Nilotes in Kenya

The Plain Nilotes: Iteso, Ogiek and Kalenjin

Highland Nilotes: Teso, Samburu and Turkana

The Bantus arrived after the Nilotes. The ethno-linguistic tribes among the Bantus of Kenya are as follows:

The Central and Eastern Kenya Bantu

Kikuyu, Meru, Kamba, Embu, Mbeere, Chuka, Tharaka and Mwinbi-Muthambi who inhabit the Central region of the country

The Western Kenya region Bantus

The Luhya, Kuria, Kisii and Abasuba who inhabit the Western region of Kenya

The Coastal Kenya region Bantus

The Mijikenda, Taita, Taveta, Malakote, Swahili, Pokomo who live in the Coastal region of Kenya

Kenya has over 42 tribes. The largest tribes are the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, Somalis and Kisii. All the tribes of Kenya have their own distinct languages.

Colonization and Independence

Kenya gained independence from British rule in 1963. The people who fought the British rulers are considered as national heroes and are often celebrated during national holidays. They include; Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Achieng Oneko, Koitalel Arap Samoei, Bildad Kaggia, Mbiyu Koinange among others.

HOW KENYA GOT ITS NAME

Kenya is named after Mount Kenya. The Kikuyu who lived near the mountain called it Kerenyaga, meaning “mountain of witness” in Kikuyu. However, because the British could not pronounce the word Kerenyaga, the name Kenya was born.

THE FLAG

The Kenyan flag has four colours (Black, Red, Green and white), a shield and two spears.

BLACK – represents the people of Kenya

RED – represents the blood shed during the struggle for independence

GREEN – represents the natural resources

WHITE– stands for peace

SHIELD & SPEAR– represent the defense of all mentioned above

COLORING KENYA'S FLAG

KENYAN CUISINE

Most Kenyans eat ugali, a mixture of maize flour and water usually harder than porridge and round in shape. It is usually eaten with sukuma wiki (kale), and other accompaniments like fish, beef or chicken.

MUSIC

Now that our bellies are filled with delicious sukuma wiki & nyama, let’s listen to some Kenyan Music!

EARLY MUSIC (70's / 80's)

NAKUPENDA WEWE by Safari Sound Band (1984)

ITAWEZEKANAJE by Them Mushrooms

MODERN MUSIC

KULIKO JANA by Sauti Sol

NIKIKUTAZAMA by H_Art The Band

KENYAN SHEROES & HEROES

Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) was a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist.

She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to become a Doctor of Philosophy, receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi in Kenya.

In 1977, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights.

Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize .

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan athlete. He’s the first person ever to have completed a marathon (42km) in less than 2 hours.

Lupita Nyong’o is a well-known Kenyan-Mexican actress.

She also supports historic preservation and is working for women’s and animal rights. In 2019 Lupita Nyong’o wrote a children’s book named Sulwe.

OUR ADVISOR

My name is Chrisphine Omondi. I am a communications expert from Kenya, and currently contact person for Global New Generation (Our Network) in Kenya.

I have a long career working with vulnerable groups;

In Kenya worked as communications specialist for Kenya Youth Business Trust – a member of Youth Business International, a network of non-profit organizations that support young people to start and grow their business across the globe.

Between 2008 and part of 2009 I volunteered with Caritas Switzerland/Luxembourg in South Sudan as a focal person in the construction of Volley Ball/Basketball Court under a UNDP/Government of South Sudan funded project dubbed, Rapid Impact Emergency Project – Labour Intensive Public Works.

I also volunteered with Saferworld GB in 2009 to conduct community security assessment in Torit County, to establish what the community considered as threat besides Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).