East Africa.

GMT + 3.

582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles).

32.8 million (UN, 2005).

56.29 per sq km.

Nairobi. Population: 2.14 million (1999).

Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia in the north, Sudan in the northwest, Uganda in the west, Tanzania in the south and Somalia in the northeast. To the east lies the Indian Ocean. The country is divided into four regions: the arid deserts of the north; the savannah lands of the south; the fertile lowlands along the coast and around the shores of Lake Victoria; and highlands in the west, where the capital Nairobi is situated. Northwest of Nairobi runs the Rift Valley, containing the town of Nakuru and Aberdare National Park, overlooked by Mount Kenya (5200m/17,000ft), which also has a national park. In the far northwest is Lake Turkana (formerly Lake Rudolph). Kenya is a multicultural society; in the north live Somalis and the nomadic Hamitic peoples (Rendille, Samburu and Turkana), in the south and eastern lowlands are Kamba and Masai and the Luo live around Lake Victoria. The largest group is the Kikuyu who live in the central highlands and have traditionally been dominant in commerce and politics, although this is now changing. There are many other smaller groups and, although Kenya emphasises nationalism, tribal and cultural identity is a factor. A small European settler population remains in the highlands, involved in farming and commerce.

Kenya’s legislature is the single chamber 224-member National Assembly: 210 members are directly elected every five years in single-seat constituencies; 12 members are appointed; the Speaker and the Attorney-General serve in an ex-officio capacity. Executive power is held by the president who is also directly elected for five years.

Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1963. Head of State and Government: President Emilio Mwai Kibaki since December 2002. Recent history: With former President Daniel arap Moi constitutionally barred from contesting the December 2002 election, Mwai Kibaki – the most prominent opposition politician – made his second attempt at the presidency and was elected President. His National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) won a parliamentary majority. He promised that his main objective would be to fight against corruption. However, both former and current ministers have become embroiled in a recent corruption scandal, involving a multi-million dollar scam. Furthermore, voters rejected a draft constitution in a referendum in late 2005. While the President presented it as a modernising measure, his opponents said that it would have left too much power in the hands of the President.

Swahili is the national language and English is the official language. There are over 42 ethnic languages spoken, including Kikuyu and Luo.

Mostly traditional but there is a sizeable Christian population (both Catholic and Protestant) and a small Muslim community.

Western European habits prevail throughout Kenya as a result of British influences in the country. Kenyans are generally very friendly. Dress is informal, and casual lightweight clothes are accepted for all but the smartest social occasions.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are UK-type square three-pin. Bayonet-type light sockets exist in Kenya.