Kenya

D

Local Government

Kenya is divided into seven administrative provinces—Central, Coast, Eastern, North-Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western—as well as the Nairobi area district. Local government matters are handled by provincial advisory councils, whose members are appointed by the president. The provinces are broken down into some 40 districts, all of which have local councils with administrative functions. The higher local authorities are divided into two categories, municipalities and county councils. Below these are various urban councils, township authorities, area councils, and local councils. Although all these groups are responsible to the central government, considerable local autonomy is encouraged within the groups. Many of the councils raise their own revenues to finance public health measures, road and construction projects, and social welfare schemes. They also contribute revenue to local education costs. The Nairobi area is not included in any other district or province but has a special status of its own.

E

Health and Welfare

In 2004 there were 7,576 people per doctor; around 7 per cent of government expenditure was spent on health care. The country had an infant mortality rate of 57 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2007.

F

Defence

In 2004 the Kenyan armed forces had a total strength of about 24,120. The navy, which is based in Mombasa, had about 1,620 officers and ratings who operated coastal patrol boats on Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. The air force, established in 1964, had 2,500 personnel, with 20 combat aircraft and 24 armed helicopters. The land army had 20,000 personnel. Military service is voluntary. In 2003 Kenya spent US$237 million (1.8 per cent of its GDP) on defence.

G

International Organizations

Kenya is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the African Union.

VI

History

Fossil remains suggest the presence of early hominids in Kenya between 2 million and 3 million years ago. Today, Kenya is an ethnic and cultural melting pot, the result of incursions by different groups over the past 1,500 years. Before ad 1000 East Africa was invaded by Nilotic clans from the north. The invaders, called Hima, were aristocratic pastoralists who introduced cattle-herding and developed powerful kingdoms.