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'''Kenya''' is one of the few [[democracies]] in [[Africa]]. Located in the east of the continent, it is famous for its majestic wildlife.
'''Kenya''', a former British colony in East Africa is famous for its majestic wildlife. The "Republic of Kenya" with a growing population of 38 million, shares borders with [[Ethiopia]], [[Somalia]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]] and [[Sudan]]. Its coastline borders the [[Indian Ocean]]. Peace had prevailed since an uprising in the former British colony in the 1950s. A political crisis exploded into violence in early 2008, with a resolution finally reached in mid-April. Kenya faces herculean challenges, as the poor nation must deal with a fast-growing population, exploding slums and and diminishing available land. During the crisis Kenya's infrastructure suffered severe damage with countless houses, shops, businesses, factories and schools burned out, and the lucrative safari tourist business almost shut down. The crisis ignited long-standing ethnic grievances, which violently split the nation along ethnic lines.<ref> Jeffrey Gettleman, "Unity Cabinet Formed in Kenya, Ending Deadlock," [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/africa/14kenya.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin ''New York Times'' April 14, 2008]</ref>
==Geography==
==Geography==
*Health: Infant mortality rate--57.4/1,000. [[Life]] expectancy--55.3 yrs (2007 est.).
*Health: Infant mortality rate--57.4/1,000. [[Life]] expectancy--55.3 yrs (2007 est.).
*Work force (1.95 million wage earners): public sector 30%; private sector 70%. Informal sector workers--6.4 million. Services--45%; industry and commerce--35%; agriculture--20%.
*Work force (1.95 million wage earners): public sector 30%; private sector 70%. Informal sector workers--6.4 million. Services--45%; industry and commerce--35%; agriculture--20%.
==2008 political crisis==
Kenya is a Presidential Representative Republic, where the President acts both as head of State and head of Government. Executive power is wielded by the government. Legislative power is shared between the government and the National Assembly. The Judiciary acts independently of both legislative and executive organs of government. The position of prime minister, to be held by opposition leader Raila Odinga, was created in Feb. 2008 as part of a compromise brokered by former UN head Kofi Annan to end the election crisis. The exact powers of the new position are unclear.<ref> "Odinga pledges to rebuild Kenya" [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7270379.stm BBC News, Feb. 29, 2008]</ref> After six weeks of tense negotiations a cabinet was announced on April 14, with 94 members, including Odinga as prime minister.<ref> Jeffrey Gettleman, "Unity Cabinet Formed in Kenya, Ending Deadlock," [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/world/africa/14kenya.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin ''New York Times'' Ap. 14, 2008]</ref>
The constitution dates from the year of its independence (1963). The unicameral legislature consists of 222 members, with 210 directly elected. The remaining twelve are appointed by the President. The legal system is influenced by English, tribal and Islamic law. The country is subdivided into seven provinces and area surrounding the capital, [[Nairobi]].
Kenya has had a relatively stable political history since independence (omitting recent political unrest and rioting). It escaped much of the internal tribal warfare and civil war which crippled neighbouring nations such as Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia. It held elections in December 2002 which were deemed free and fair by international observers. Kenya has until recently been used as an example of a recovering African nation free of many of the domestic problems which beset many of her neighbouring states. The 2002 election heralded a peaceful transfer of power from the [[Kenya African Union]] to the [[National Rainbow Coalition]].
Kenya exploded into violence following a disputed election in December 2007 in which the government proclaimed incumbent president Mwai Kibaki had defeated Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, by 4.58m votes to 4.35m.<ref> See ''The Economist'' Dec 30, 2007 at [http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10415208]</ref> Wide civil strife displaced over 600,000 people. This is an ethnic conflict with the Kikuyus taking the brunt of the attacks. They have controlled the government and most business since 1963 while comprising 22% of the population.<ref> Jeffrey Gettleman, "Kenya Kikuyus, Long Dominant, Are Now Routed," [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/world/africa/07kenya.html?ref=world ''New York Times'' Jan. 7, 2008]</ref> The philosophy of "majimboism," which initially meant minority rights, has transformed into local policies of expelling other groups. Thousands have died in ethnic cleansing, and the UN estimates over 600,000 people have been uprooted. About half have gone to camps in churches, police stations, stables and prisons; conditions are poor. The growing ethnic segregation is pulling students and teachers out of schools and leaving thousands of jobs vacant across the economy.<ref>The official death estimate is 1,000, based on deaths in hospitals; journalists report the actual toll is far higher. Jeffrey Gettleman, "Signs in Kenya of a Land Redrawn by Ethnicity," [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/world/africa/15kenya.html?ref=africa ''New York Times'' Feb. 15, 2008]</ref>
==Government==
==Government==
Local administration is divided among 69 rural districts, each headed by a commissioner appointed by the president. The government has proposed 37 more districts, but these are not yet ratified by [[Parliament]]. The districts are joined to form seven rural provinces. Nairobi has special provincial status. The Ministry of State in charge of Provincial Administration and Internal Security supervises the administration of districts and provinces.
Local administration is divided among 69 rural districts, each headed by a commissioner appointed by the president. The government has proposed 37 more districts, but these are not yet ratified by [[Parliament]]. The districts are joined to form seven rural provinces. Nairobi has special provincial status. The Ministry of State in charge of Provincial Administration and Internal Security supervises the administration of districts and provinces.
===Foreign Relations===
===Foreign Relations===
Despite internal tensions in [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]], Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with [[Uganda]] and [[Tanzania]] have improved as the three countries work for mutual [[economic]] benefit.
Despite internal tensions in [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]], Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with [[Uganda]] and [[Tanzania]] have improved as the three countries work for mutual [[economic]] benefit.