World Factbook
Kenya
Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is at the center meaning: black stands for the majority population, red for the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom
Capital
name
Nairobi
etymology
the name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters," which was used to refer to a local water hole, Enkare Nairobi
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
1 17 S, 36 49 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
4 out of the previous 7 years
Constitution
history
current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010
amendment process
amendments can be proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% of eligible voters in at least one half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president
Country name
former
British East Africa
etymology
named for Mount Kenya; the mountain's name may derive from the Kikuyu word kere nyaga , or "white mountain"
local long form
Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili)
local short form
Kenya
conventional long form
Republic of Kenya
conventional short form
Kenya
Independence
12 December 1963 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; Supreme Court reviews laws
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges)
subordinate courts
High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts
judge selection and term of office
chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointed by the president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JSC and appointed by president; chief justice serves a nonrenewable 10-year term or until age 70, whichever comes first; other judges serve until age 70
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly
chief of state
President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
election results
2022 : William RUTO elected president in first round; percent of vote - William RUTO (UDA) 50.5%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 48.9%, other 0.6%
head of government
President William RUTO (since 13 September 2022)
most recent election date
9 August 2022
election/appointment process
president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by majority vote nationwide and at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties; failure to meet these thresholds requires a runoff between the top two candidates
expected date of next election
10 August 2027
National holiday
Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963)
note: Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963), marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule
National color(s)
black, red, green, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
8(5 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c); The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi (c)
Political parties
Azimio La Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party Amani National Congress or ANC Chama Cha Kazi or CCK Democratic Action Party or DAP-K Democratic Party or DP Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya or FORD-Kenya Grand Dream Development Party or GDDP Jubilee Party or JP Kenya African National Union or KANU Kenya Kwanza coalition Kenya Union Party or KUP Maendeleo Chap Chap Party or MCC Movement for Democracy and Growth or MDG National Agenda Party or NAP-K National Ordinary People Empowerment Union or NOPEU Orange Democratic Movement or ODM Pamoja African Alliance or PAA] The Service Party or TSP United Democratic Alliance or UDA United Democratic Movement or UDM United Democratic Party or UDP United Party of Independent Alliance or UPIA United Progressive Alliance or UPA Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya or WDM-K
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament of Kenya
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (O God of All Creation)
history
adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song
lyrics/music
Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE
National symbol(s)
lion
National coat of arms
the two lions symbolize protection as they hold a traditional East African shield and spears in defense of freedom and unity; the shield features the national colors: black for the people, green for agriculture and natural resources, red for the struggle for freedom, and white for unity and peace; on the shield, a rooster greets the new day, and the axe represents both authority and the Kenya Africa National Union (KANU) that led the country to independence; at the base of the shield is Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak; the scroll has the Swahili word Harambee , meaning “all for one” or “pulling together”
Administrative divisions
47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita/Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir, West Pokot
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly
term in office
5 years
number of seats
350 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/9/2022
expected date of next election
August 2027
percentage of women in chamber
23.4%
parties elected and seats per party
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) (145); Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) (86); Jubilee Party (JP) (28); Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya (WDM-K) (26); Others (19); Other (45)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
68 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
8/9/2022
expected date of next election
August 2027
percentage of women in chamber
31.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Kenya Kwanza Alliance (33); Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya Coalition Party (32); Other (1)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 462-3829
chancery
2249 R St NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 387-6101
consulate(s)
New York
chief of mission
Ambassador David Kipkorir Kiplagat KERICH (since 18 September 2024)
email address and website
information@kenyaembassydc.org https://kenyaembassydc.org/#
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[254] (20) 363-6157
embassy
P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi
telephone
[254] (20) 363-6000
mailing address
8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC 20521-8900
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. BURNS (since 25 August 2025)
email address and website
kenya_acs@state.gov https://ke.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCT, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction