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The Economist Intelligence Unit provides a constant flow of analysis and forecasts on more than 200 countries and eight key industries. We help executives make informed business decisions through dependable intelligence delivered online.

EIU Kenya

Overview

The president, Mwai Kibaki, seeks a second term in the December election, as head of a new coalition, the Party of National Unity (PNU). His main challenge will come from Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Mr Odinga is currently ahead in the opinion polls but the outcome is hard to predict. An ODM victory could delay the implementation of key economic reforms, although the Economist Intelligence Unit does not think that there will be any major policy shifts, and policy will continue to be guided by an IMF-style policy framework. Real GDP growth is forecast to remain robust, but to dip to 5.6% in 2008 and 5.4% in 2009 as a result of infrastructure bottlenecks.

Key Reports Available for Kenya
  • Country Report
  • Country Profile
  • Country Commerce
  • Country Risk Service
  • Basic Data

    Land area
    569,259 sq km
    Population
    28.7m (1999 national census), 38.6m (2008 UNPOP estimate)
    Main towns
    Population in '000, 1999 census
    Nairobi (capital): 1,346
    Mombasa: 465
    Kisumu: 185
    Nakuru: 163
    Climate
    Tropical
    Weather in Nairobi (altitude 1,820 metres)
    Hottest month, February, 13-28°C; coldest month, July, 11-23°C; driest month, August, 24 mm average rainfall; wettest month, April, 266 mm average rainfall
    Languages
    English, Kiswahili and more than 40 local ethnic languages
    Religion
    Christian (80%), Muslim (10%), other (10%)
    Measures
    Metric system
    Currency
    Kenya shilling (KSh)=100 cents. KSh20=1 Kenya pound (K£). Average exchange rate in 2007: KSh67.3:US$1. Exchange rate on 22ndOctober 2008: KSh76.5:US$1
    Fiscal year
    July 1st-June 30th
    Time
    3 hours ahead of GMT
    Public holidays
    January 1st; Good Friday; Easter Monday; May 1st; June 1st; Eid ul Fitr; Christmas holiday, December 25th-26th


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