Kenya.

Kenya is an East African republic on the equator, with a Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, the Maasai Mara savannah and the historic Swahili coast on the Indian Ocean.

Geography & landscape

Kenya sits in Eastern Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 580,367 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Nairobi, lies near coordinates 1°, 38°.

The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Eastern Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Kenya.

People & society

The population of Kenya is around 56M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.

Kenya recognises multiple official languages — Swahili and English — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.

Government & politics

Kenya is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Nairobi, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.

Economy & currency

The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Nairobi and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.

Culture & everyday life

The cultural footprint of Kenya shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Kenya through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.

Travel essentials

The capital, Nairobi, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +254, and clocks are set to the EAT (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Kenya as KE (alpha-2) and KEN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇰🇪, appears at every border post and on every passport.

By the numbers

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Did you know?

Kenya is famous for its long-distance runners; Kalenjin athletes from the Rift Valley have won an outsize share of the world's marathon medals.