Population and Demographics

Kenya has a very diverse population that includes most major ethnic and linguistic groups of Africa. Traditional pastoralists, rural farmers, Muslims, Christians and urban residents of Nairobi and other cities contribute to the cosmopolitan culture. The standard of living in major cities, once relatively high compared to much of Sub-Saharan Africa, has been declining in recent years. Most city workers retain links with their rural, extended families and leave the city periodically to help work on the family farm. About 75% of the work force is engaged in agriculture, mainly as subsistence farmers.

However, tension between the various ethnic groups accounts for many of Kenya's problems. During the early 1990s, politically instigated tribal clashes killed thousands and left tens of thousands homeless.

Ethnic groups include:

• Kikuyu 22%
• Luhya 14%
• Luo 13%
• Kalenjin 12%
• Kamba 11%
• Kisii 6%
• Meru 6%
• other African 15%
• non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%

The vast majority of Kenyans are Christian (45% Protestant, 33% Roman Catholic) with the remaining population made up of 10% Muslim, 10% traditional indigenous beliefs and 2% other religions (such as Hinduism, Jainism and the Baha'i Faith).