Kenya is a beautiful country that is home to over 40 ethnic communities. Despite being the most popular safari destination in the world, there are many other interesting things about Kenya. This is a list of interesting facts about Kenya. As a country, its people are very relaxed and welcoming.
Most Kenyans work in Agricultural related sectors although Kenya is one of the most developed African countries. Kenya’s climate ranges from Equatorial, tropical on the coast to very hot and arid in its interior.
Each year, thousands of people visit Kenya to see the wonderful wildlife and nature that the country has to offer. It is a great place to visit and to see wildlife.
Here is a List of interesting facts about Kenya
This is a list of interesting facts about Kenya that you probably have not heard or did not know ENJOY!!
- Kenya is one of the most developed African countries with a nominal GDP of $41.115 billion.
- Kenya is the world leader in Mobile money technologies and other fintech firms with the most famous product being M-Pesa
- Kenya’s economy is mainly driven by a liberal market that is not highly regulated by the government. The major role that the government plays is controlling the price of commodities.
- Apart from banking, Telecommunication is one of the largest industries in Kenya that contributes to over 60% of the GDP.
- 75% of Kenyans life off agriculture and agricultural related industries
- Kenya was a British protectorate run by a prime minister until 1963 when the country was declared independent.
Read Also: What is Kenya Known for?
Kenyans are Great People
- Kenya has produced some of the best talents and professionals to the world including the former US president Barrack Obama.
- Kenya is also known for its athletes who often scoop all the medals in running sports. The new marathon world record was set by a Kenyan who broke a record that had been set by another Kenyan.
- Kenya produces the world’s finest coffee and Tea. Kenya’s coffee is the most expensive in England while in the US, Chai tea is the most common tea mainly imported from Kenya.
- Kenya entered the class of oil-producing countries although its oil production is still low but is expected to be a major industry in years to come.
- The main imports to Kenya include machinery, vehicles, and plastics
- Kenya is the most developed country in East and Central Africa where its capital city Nairobi is regarded as the silicon savannah of Africa due to the inventions that come from the city.
- English and Swahili are the official languages used in Kenya. Kenya is among the Swahili speaking nation, a tongue that is spoken by over 400 million Africans
Experience Kenyan wildlife
- Kenya is home to the big five including; Lions, leopards, elephants and buffalos. Tourists can enjoy watching these animals from close proximity in National parks best in Kenya than in any other place on the continent. For this reason, many tourists visit the country to go on safaris and watch the animals.
Related: List of National Parks in Kenya
- The country name “Kenya” is derived from Mt. Kenya which is the highest point in Kenya and the Dwelling place of God.
- The gap between the rich and the poor is distinct where the poor are very poor and the rich are very rich. Over half of the Kenyan population ravish in poverty. However, Kenya has a thrivi9ng middle class that sustains the economy through their hard work.
- Tourism in Kenya is a huge industry and the second foreign exchange earner. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock the country to experience the nature, people and wildlife.
Kenyan Coffee is the best
- While Coffee is the most popular beverage in Europe and America, the most popular beverage in Kenya is Tea.
- Kenyans love to consume their beverages and food when very hot or warm. They hate cold stuff.
- Kenya is one of the countries that feature the Rift Valley. The valley is thought to have formed over 20 million years ago due to a split of the earth’s crust.
- Kenya has a new constitution that split the country into 47 counties
- Dowries are still traditional in Kenya. The groom’s parents must pay a dowry to the bride’s family otherwise their son will not be able to wed his bride. Dowries are paid in form of cattle.
- Most homes in Kenya sleep under a mosquito net to avoid being infected with malaria and other diseases that are spread by mosquitos.
- Kenya was under the British rule for close to 100 years
Floods in Kenya
- Kenya experiences two seasons. During the rainy season, people suffer from tragic flash floods that cause destruction and loss of life while during the dry season, people and animals suffer from draught that lead to death of animals and people.
- Kenya is known as the country of languages because it is home to over 40 ethnic groups that live in peace under one rule.
- Kenya is among the few countries in the world that offer free primary education to improve the level of literacy in the country.
- Kenyans pass their culture, message, and woes from one generation to another or from the people to the government through sons and spoken word.
- Kenya is home to the oldest fossils ever found which compels scientists to think that Kenya is the cradle of mankind.
- Nairobi is a high Altitude city and is close to the equator which dissects the country into two halves.
Read Also: Kenyan Tourism Facts and Figures
- Wangari Maathai was the first female Nobel Prize winner in 2004 and as you guessed, yes she was from Kenya.
- There are more Christians in Kenya than other religions.
- Kenya uses a currency called shilling. $1 is an equivalent of Ksh 100
- Kenya is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls including Thompson fall and the fourteen falls in Thika which is one of the steepest falls you can find anywhere.
- The Kenyan population is rapidly growing because of the high birthrate against the low mortality rate.
- Kenya offers refuge to thousands of refugees from neighboring countries escaping violence in their countries.
Kenyan Diet
- Ugali is the staple food in Kenya and is served more than twice every week on most Kenyan tables.
- There is no government-run public transportation system in Kenya. Public transport is mainly run by the private sector while the government runs major carriers like the airlines and the railway systems.
- 98% of the Kenyan population is made up of black Africans.
- Kenyans drive on the left side of the road
- Kenyan Matatus “public transport” is a work of Art
- The last volcano to erupt in Kenya did so in 1922 but there are various active volcanos in the country like menengai crater that is responsible for the hot springs in Lake Bogoria.
- That is it with the list of interesting facts about Kenya. Do you have any other fact we can add to this list? Comment and share with us.
