Kenya

July 7, 1895 (Sunday) – Kenya becomes British East Africa Protectorate

July 23, 1920 (Friday) – Becomes British colony: Colony and Protectorate of Kenya

October 20, 1952 (Monday) – State of Emergency declared during Mau Mau uprising

December 12, 1963 (Thursday) – Gains independence from Britain

December 12, 1964 (Saturday) – Becomes a republic under President Jomo Kenyatta

August 1, 1982 (Sunday) – Coup attempt by air force officers fails; multi-party politics banned

January 4, 1998 (Sunday) – El Niño floods devastate roads and displace thousands

August 7, 1998 (Friday) – Nairobi U.S. Embassy bombing, over 200 killed

December 27, 2007 (Thursday) – Disputed election leads to post-election violence

January 4, 2008 (Friday) – Ethnic clashes intensify, over 1,000 dead and 600,000 displaced

August 27, 2010 (Friday) – New constitution enacted after referendum

September 21–24, 2013 (Saturday–Tuesday) – Westgate Mall terror attack kills at least 67

April 2, 2015 (Thursday) – Garrisa University College attack, 148 killed

March 2020 – February 2021 – Worst locust infestation in 70 years affects food security

May 2020 (Wednesday, May 6) – Flooding and landslides across western Kenya kill at least 194

August 9, 2022 (Tuesday) – William Ruto elected president after contested election

November 2023 (Thursday, November 2) – Severe drought officially declared a national disaster in 23 counties

February 2025 (Monday, February 17) – Flash floods hit Nairobi following intense storms

Continent: Africa (Eastern Africa)
Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean
Capital: Nairobi
Language: English, Kiswahili (both official)
Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Population: ~56.2 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3)

Borders: Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Indian Ocean
Landscape: Highlands, savannah, rift valleys, coastal plains
Major Rivers: Tana, Athi-Galana-Sabaki, Mara, Ewaso Ng’iro
Major Mountains: Mount Kenya (second highest in Africa), Aberdare Range
Deserts: Chalbi Desert, Nyiri Desert
Lakes: Lake Victoria, Lake Turkana, Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru
Volcanoes: Mount Longonot, Mount Suswa (dormant)
Highest Point: Mount Kenya – 5,199 m (17,057 ft)
Lowest Point: Indian Ocean coastline – sea level
Climate: Equatorial; tropical along coast, arid in north and northeast, temperate in highlands
Geological Features: East African Rift Valley, volcanic plateaus, escarpments

Ethnic Groups: Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, Meru, Maasai, Somali
Religion: Christianity (~85%), Islam (~11%), Traditional African religions
Urban Population: ~29% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~3.5% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Wildlife, Maasai and other ethnic cultures, safaris, long-distance runners
Cuisine: Ugali, nyama choma, sukuma wiki, chapati, pilau
Music: Benga, gospel, Afro-pop, traditional drumming
Arts: Beadwork, wood carving, sculpture, textiles
Sports: Athletics, rugby, football, volleyball

Economy Type: Market-based, agriculture-driven
GDP: Approx. $114 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, telecom, banking
Key Exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products, textiles
Unemployment Rate: ~5.7% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Central highlands (agriculture), coastal trade hub, Nairobi (financial/tech)

Government Type: Presidential republic
Head of State and Government: President William Ruto (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (National Assembly & Senate)
Constitution: Enacted August 27, 2010

Nairobi: Nairobi National Park, Karen Blixen Museum
Mombasa: Coastal beaches, Fort Jesus
Maasai Mara: World-famous wildlife reserve, Great Migration
Mount Kenya National Park: Glaciers, forests, hiking
Lake Nakuru National Park: Flamingos, rhinos
Amboseli National Park: Views of Mount Kilimanjaro
Lamu Island: Swahili culture, UNESCO heritage site