Kenya Highlights

A Brief Overview of Key Moments in Kenya

1963

Independence

Kenya gained independence from the British.

1964

A new republic

Kenya became a republic.

1973

ICRC delegation

ICRC Regional Delegation was established in Kenya.

1982

Politics

Kenya amended the constitution and became a one-party state.

1985

UN Decade for Women

Nairobi hosted the Review and Appraisal meeting for the UN Decade for Women. 1,900 delegates from 157 countries attended.

1987

All African games

Kenya hosted the All African games at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

1992

Multiparty state

Parliament revoked the Constitution that made Kenya a one-party state and in December that year, multiparty elections were held.

2004

Nobel Peace Prize

Professor Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize.

2006

Hospital handover

ICRC handed over the Lopiding Hospital in Lokichoggio to the Kenyan Government. It was once the largest field hospital in the world with over 700 beds and provided South Sudan with war surgery and emergency health care for over 19 years. It handled over 60,000 operations.

2008

Post-election violence

Disputed elections in December of 2007 led to post-election violence where more than 1,000 Kenyans died. This led to the signing of the peace accord.

2010

New constitution

Promulgation of a new Constitution in August.

Inside Tips

What Kenya is known for.

Population

47.6M

Kenya is located in East Africa. It is home to 47.6 million people and boasts a rich culture comprising of over 40 tribes that speak more than 60 indigenous languages.

Tourism

582.646 km²

Kenya has a landmass of 582,646 square kilometres and is well known for its unique landscape that is teeming with wildlife, beautiful coastal beaches with a spectacular coral reef, and fair weather all year round.

Agriculture

Export

Agriculture plays a key role in Kenya’s economy owing to the favourable weather and fertile land in some parts of the country. It is a leading producer of tea and coffee, and much of it ends up on the international market.

Marathon

1:59:40

Kenya is famed for its long-distance runners who dominate international events every year. Most recently, Eliud Kipchoge who holds an official world record time of 2:01:39 also broke the unofficial world record for the fastest marathoner in the world with a time of 1:59:40.

Humanitarian Needs

Effects of climate change in Kenya.

Kenya, like other countries in East Africa, has undergone periods of drought that have led to food insecurity. Besides the unpredictable weather, some communities do not have access to clean water and sanitation and risk outbreaks of diseases as a result.
The country has experienced its fair share of inter-communal violence sometimes related to access to water and grazing land. Kenya is host to refugees from its neighbouring countries that experience conflict and armed violence.

ICRC Action

ICRC’s Humanitarian action in Kenya.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has a regional delegation in Nairobi, which covers Kenya, Tanzania, and Djibouti. The organization works with the Kenya Red Cross Society, Tanzania Red Cross Society, and the Djibouti Red Crescent Society to restore family links for refugees and support communities affected by violence to cope and rebuild their livelihoods.
The ICRC also helps these national societies enhance their capacity and promote acceptance and access for their volunteers. The ICRC promotes international humanitarian law in the universities and through training of security and armed forces in these countries.
The delegation in Kenya plays an important role as a logistics centre for Africa and the rest of the world. The country’s stability allows the ICRC to receive, store, and dispatch critical food and non-food items to communities in need. The ICRC has been in Kenya since 1973 and employs 195 local staff at its regional delegation in Nairobi, and a further 170 local staff at its logistics centre located close by.
It also acts as a base for other Africa-wide support functions including training with its Learning and Development Centre, and regional experts in health, communication, agronomy and engineering.

Learn more about ICRC’s humanitarian action in Kenya

ACHIEVEMENTS

Key ICRC milestones in Kenya.

Restoring family links

Facilitated 102,210 phone calls made by refugees and detainees in Kenya, Tanzania and Djibouti

Detention

Visited 494 detainees in Djibouti and Tanzania

Assistance

Supported 1,226 households in Lamu and Garissa, Kenya with cash grants to address urgent needs and help build resilience.

Logistics

Shipped 9,430 metric tons of relief goods, food and non-food items to 36 countries'