Kenya
Kenya is a republic of East Africa, bordered on the southeastern side
by the Indian Ocean, Somalia on the east, Ethiopia on the north, Sudan on
the northeast, Uganda on the west ,and Tanzania on the south.
The chief rivers are the Tana and Athi. They both flow southeast to the
Indian Ocean. The Nzoia, Yala, and Groi rivers flow into Lake Victoria.
Other popular countries are Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Ethiopia,
Tanganyika.
The Kenya Highlands are bisected from north to south by a Rift Valley
which extends across the country from Lake Tuikana to the Tanzania border. This
valley cuts through Eastern Africa from the Red Sea into Malaevi. West of the Rift
Valley the land slopes to a plain bordering Lake Victoria, Kenya has about 300
miles coastline on the Indian Ocean.
The only lowlands in Kenya are along the Indian Ocean in a narrow belt.
Inland are three upland areas that include a belt of low plateaus in the east. The
Kenya Highlands, Great Rift Valley in the west, central regions,
and the broad uplands of the Lake Victoria Basin in the west. The Kenya
Highlands rise 13,000 feet in the Aberdare Range and forms the steep eastern edge
of the rift valley, and to more than 10,000 feet in the Mau Escarpment, they rise to
a high point of 17,058 feet on Mount Kenya.
Kenya's low lying coastal plain has a humid climate. Inland northern
regions are drier areas. The higher inland regions receive more rainfall.
Some well known places in Kenya are Nairobi, which is the capital of
Kenya, Some other places are Mombasa and Wajir.
Other important places in Kenya are Maru National Park, which is Kenya's
network of wildlife preserves. Mount Kenya is another important place because it
is the second highest peak after Kilimanjaro.
Some important events from early and present history are that Africa
nationalism developed in opposition to British colonial rule. Kenya declared
Independence on December 12, 1964. Kenya first commonroll election in Feb.
1961. President Moi visited several foreign countries in 1980. The Donoran Maule
Theater was founded in 1950.
Some historical events that had an impact on the rest of the world are when
President Moi's visit the United States led to an agreement with the
U.S. that permitted use of Kenyan ports and other facilites by the U.S. armed
forces.
The Government of Kenya operated Voice of Kenya Broadcasts in English,
Swahili and 16 other languages. They also produced television programs, this kept
them in touch with the world. Kenya's expanding transportation network includes
rail, road, air facilities, and also coastal and inland waterways. This improved trade
and imports with other countries.
In 1895 development fund were lacking so the control of government was
passed on to the British government. A protectorate was declared over Kenya
(then known as British East Africa) until the end of the 1950 European settlers
exercised a domain influence upon the colonial government.
Following World War II the legitimacy of European Settlers state was
challenged by African nationalism. The first national organized force was The
Kenya African Union founded in 1944. Jomo Kenyatta was the first Unions
president in 1947. KAU opposed the colonies radical land police and demanded
elective representation in government.
In the late 1940's an oath of unity called Mau Mau was determined to bring
about reform after tens of thousands had taken the oath and several people
were killed, the colonial government declared a state of emergency on October
1952. Kenyatta was convicted by a criminal court in 1953 as the leader of Mau
Mau and spent 9 yrs. In prison and detention. During the new African leadership
emerged and demanded self-government.
In 1957 Africans elected for the first time to the legislature eight
representatives from a very restricted franchise. In 1960 Britian altered its colonial
policy and Kenya became an African governed country. Kenya's first election in
1961 resulted in an African majority in the legislature. On December 12, 1963
Kenya became a fully independent monarchy. On December 12, 1964 Kenya
declared itself a republic with Kenyatta as its first president. Kenyatta's rule lasted
until his death in 1978. He ruled as a presidential monarchy. After Kenyatta,s
death in August 1978, Moi became president. Moi kept Kenyatta's policies but
declared he would eliminate corruption. His administration had a downturn in the
economy. In 1980 he ordered the end of tribal association which he thought was a
threat to his regime. He considered foreign policy as vital to Kenya's welfare. He
visited several foreign countries and concluded with the United States a military
and economic agreement that premitted use of Kenyan port and other facilites by
U.S. armed forces. An abortive coup in August 1982 shook Moi's rule. Moi
had to rule with ferver resources and a less sanctified position.
Executive authority in Kenya is vested in the elected president. The cabinet
of ministers and the appointed vice president are drawn from National Assembly.
The lawmaking body is Parliament consisting of the president and the single-
chamber National Assembly. This body is made up of 158 elected members plus
12 members appointed by the president as well as a speaker. The attorney general
is an ex-office member. General elections are held every five years. To win
presidency the candidate must receive a majority of the popular vote and be elected
to the National Assembly.
The current leader of Kenya is Moi, who has been president since 1978.
Agricultural accounts for about one-third of the gross domestic product.
Tea, coffee, sugar, sisal, pineapple, and pyrethrum are Kenya's cash crops for
export.
About one-seventh of the monetary economy is based on manufacturing
among their industries are food processing, tobacco, textiles, vehicle assembly,
petroleum products, paper, chemicals, cement, and machinery.
Agricultural exports are the greatest contribution to their economic situation. They
also export hides and skins from the many animals in the country. Their variety of
wild animals and bird life together with attractive coastal beaches and scenic
wilderness areas are the basic for expanding tourists industry. Tourism is second
only to coffee as an earner of foreign exchange.
The major languages in Kenya are Swahili, this is the official language.
Swahili is a Bantu language, it is influenced by Arabic and is written with the
Roman alphabet. English is also used very widely. Some of the tribal languages are
used.
Kenya has no official religion. About one-third of the population is
Christian. The majority of people follow traditional religion practices. Islam is also
prevalient in areas of Arab and Asian Influence.
Black Africa has no ancient traditions. The Kamba are known for their
wood carving and soapstone carvings. Drums and plucked instruments provide
music for their traditional dancing. Kenyan arts reflect both modern and traditional
life literature addressed themes of Kenya's colonial experience, land hunger, and
feelings of people caught between cultures. Kenyan's were very artistic, their
paintings batiks and lithographs are exhibited in galleries and public buildings in
Nairobi. An art museum was built in that city.
Kenya is a very interesting country. They have come a long way to catch up
with today's modern world. Despite a lot of turmoil in the government, they have
survived with better leadership.
I would like to travel to Kenya to see the many different wild animals and
birds that roam around the country. I would also like to visit their national parks
and museums. I would also like to visit their colleges.
REFERENCE
A. Marshall Macphee. Kenya. New York, Washington: Frederick A.
Praeger , 1968
Isak Dinesen. Out of Africa. New York: Time Inc. , 1963
William Attwood. The Reds and the Blacks. New York: Eavston & London,
1951
Robert B. Edegrton. Mau Mau An African Crucible. London, England:
Collier Macmillian , 1989
Elspeth Huxley. With Folks and Hope an African Notebook. New York:
William Morrow& Company, 1964
Encyclopedia K-L 12. Academic American Encyclopedia. Danbury,
Connecticut: Groiler Inc., 1989 by Grolier Inc.