An Overview of Kenya Profile

[BBC]

Situated on the equator on Africa's east coast, Kenya has been described as "the cradle of humanity".

•   Full name: The Republic of Kenya
•   Population: 40.8 million (UN, 2010)
•   Capital: Nairobi
•   Area: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)
•   Major languages: Swahili, English
•   Major religion: Christianity
•   Life expectancy: 56 years (men), 57years (women) (UN)
•   Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 cents
•   Main exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products
•   GNI per capita: US $770 (World Bank, 2009)
•   Internet domain: .ke
•   International dialling code: +254

In the Great Rift Valley palaeontologists have discovered some of the earliest evidence of man's ancestors.

In the present day, Kenya's ethnic diversity has produced a vibrant culture but is also a source of conflict.

After independence from Britain in 1963, politics was dominated by the charismatic Jomo Kenyatta. He was succeeded in 1978 by Daniel arap Moi, who remained in power for 24 years. The ruling Kenya African National Union, Kanu, was the only legal political party for much of the 1980s.

Violent unrest - and international pressure - led to the restoration of multi-party politics in the early 1990s. But it was to be another decade before opposition candidate Mwai Kibaki ended nearly 40 years of Kanu rule with his landslide victory in 2002's general election.

BBC

[afroboy]

Provides an overview of Kenya, including key events and facts of this East African country.

Attribution: CNN, BBC and IOL Africa.