Kenya, a country that was a former British colony, is located in East Africa with the equator passing through it. It is bordered to the north by Ethiopia, to the east by Somalia, to the south by Tanzania, to the west by Uganda and to the northwest by Sudan.
The country gained independence on December 12, 1963 after opposition by the people of Kenya to British government rule in their land. The result was that many Kenyans were displaced or forced to leave their lands, denied their rights plus other injustices that came with colonization. The most notable movement that led to British government signing Kenya as an independent country was the Mau Mau Movement. It mainly consisted of the tribe of Kikuyu militants.
Kenya has been ruled so far by three presidents, namely; Jommo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi and currently, Mwai Kibaki. The longest serving president was former Daniel arap Moi who lost the seat to Mwai Kibaki on December 2002.
Kenya is a country with diverse people as it is made up of over 40 tribes. Also there are other nationals who have lived in the country before and during the British rule. They are Indians, Europeans and Arabs. Indians were forced to work in Kenya by the British government while Arabs through trade landed at the coast of Kenya and intermarried prior to British rule.
The over 40 tribes in Kenya are divided into three groups: Nilotes, Cushites and Bantus. The Bantus form the largest part followed by Nilotes. The Bantus are mainly located at the coastal region, western Kenya region and in the central highlands. The Nilotes are found mainly in the Lake Victoria region and the Great Rift Valley, while the Cushites who are composed of nomads and pastoralists, are found in the arid areas of Northern parts of Kenya.
The Kikuyu are the largest tribes in Kenya at 22% followed by Luyha at 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11% and Kisii at 6%. The population currently stands at over 40 million and the government is trying to come up with strategies to reduce the explosion of population. It is estimated, according to the Ministry of Planning, that the growth rate is 2.58%.
Christianity is the largest religion in Kenya, with protestants constituting 45% and Roman Catholic 33%. It is followed by Islam at 10%, Indigenous beliefs 10%, and other religions are 2%.
Customs and Etiquette in Kenya
It is regarded as disrespect or a bad attitude if one, when welcomed to the house of a friend with a cup of tea or a plate food, refuses.
While not mandatory, it is regarded impolite when one does not finish the food on the plate at the host's house.
Greetings in the form of handshake is the most commonly used. Although now the shift has changed, women can hug and kiss their male friends, unlike before when women would hug and kiss their female friends only.
People who hold certain positions in an institution are called by their titles. For example, Teacher Mary and not Mrs. Mary.
Children usually call their parent's friends aunt or uncle (whether they are actually their aunties or not).
Sources:
Infoplease.com, Kenya: History, Geography, Government, and Culture. (Accessed July 28, 2011)
Kwintessential.co.uk, Kenya: Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (Accessed July 28, 2011)
Benny Njugna - Benny Njuguna is currently a Creative Writing Student, studying the course through distance learning with Writers Bureau. He currently ...
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