The Kenya People
Diverse, hardworking and warm
The people of Kenya comprise 42 ethnic groups or tribes, each with unique values, skills, language and cultural practices. Comprising the population is the indigenous Kenyans (black), Europeans, Asians and Arabs. But among all the traits, it is the hospitality, warmth, hard-working and resilient nature that make Kenya people so exceptional.
Kenyan People - a cut above
Kenyan people rise above race and color. They treat other people with respect. Even when their own government fails them, they remain optimistic and do not wait for government to do everything for them. Kenyans live free of their colonial past; they are not hung up in blame of the British who colonized the country. Instead the Kenyan people feel in-charge of their fate and destiny.
As people, Kenyans live a highly social and collective lifestyle where the extended family, large pool of friends and the community shape the course of their existence and well-being. People are very friendly and neighbors are no strangers in Kenya. Arrive as a visitor, leave as a friend.
Kenya Tribes and the Linguistic groups
Indigenous Kenya people fall into three major linguistic groups; the Bantu, Nilotes and Cushites.
The Bantu
Bantu people in Kenya live mainly in the coastal, central, and western regions of the country. They occupy less than 30% of the Kenyan land mass but form more than 70% of the population. Most notable among the Bantu are the Kikuyu, Luhya and Kamba tribes.
The Kikuyu or Agikuyu are Kenya's largest single ethnic group (22% of the population). They are prolific farmers, inhabiting the very fertile central Kenya highlands. Most of the world-famous Kenyan coffee comes from this Kikuyu region.
Being highly enterprising by nature, Kikuyu people dominate businesses in most major Kenyan towns. Kikuyus also have a great influence on the Kenyan political scene. Notable people such as the first Kenyan President, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was from the Kikuyu tribe. The current president - H.E. Mwai Kibaki is also Kikuyu.
The Luhya also known as the Abaluhya, the second largest tribe, live on the Western Province of Kenya. The tribe comprises of 17 sub-tribes each speaking a different dialect. The most dominant of these sub-tribes are Bukusu and Maragoli. The others are Banyore, Gisu, Idakho, Isukha, Kabras, Khayo, Kisa, Manyala, Marachi, Saamia, Tachoni, Tiriki, Tura, Wanga and Watsotso to name a few.
The Kamba people are renowned for their exceptional wood carving skills. Their unique sculptures are sold in many art, crafts, curio and gift shops around Kenya and abroad. They constitute the fifth-largest ethnic group in Kenya.
Other Bantu tribes include Embu, Kisii, Kuria, Mbeere, Meru, Mijikenda and Taita.
The Nilotic People
Nilotes are traditionally pastoralists and fishermen. They reside in the broad Rift valley region of Kenya and in a region around Lake Victoria. The Maasai, Turkana, Samburu, Luo and Kalenjin are arguably the most significant Nilotic tribes.
The Maasai, Samburu and Turkana are nomadic pastoral tribes that have defied modern trends to retain most of their traditional ways of life. Most members of these tribes dress in their traditional bright red regalia adorned in beautiful ornaments made of beads, feathers and copper.
The Maasai people are recognized world wide as an epitome of Kenya culture. Of all Kenya people, the Maasais are a tourist favorite.
The Luo reside on the shores of Lake Victoria and are Kenya's third largest ethnic group. Popular for their fishing culture, they too have played very active roles especially in the Kenya opposition politics.
The Kalenjin are most recognized for their athletic prowess. Many legendary Kenyan distance runners including Boston Marathon runner Paul Tergat, Kipchoge Keino and Tecla Loroupe are from the Kalenjin ethnic group. Perhaps the most known Kalenjin personality is the former Kenya president Daniel T. Arap Moi.
The Cushitic People
Cushitic People live in the arid and semi-arid eastern and northeastern parts of Kenya. Most of them are nomadic pastoralists who own large herds of camels, sheep, cattle and goats. Cushitic people maintain close ties with their kinsmen in the neighboring countries of Ethiopia and Somalia. The largest Cushitic ethnic group in Kenya is the Somali.
Kenyan Europeans
The majority of Kenyan Europeans are of British origin, those who opted to become Kenyan citizens after the country's independence in 1963. Most tend to live a very private life with little involvement in political or public affairs. A number of them hold large pieces of land in the Rift Valley province where they practice agriculture and ranching.
Kenyan Asians
The Asian community in Kenya is largely Indian, descendants of the laborers brought in the 19th century to construct the Kenya-Uganda railway. They live in very close-knit societies and are among the most successful business people in Kenya.
Kenyan Arabs
Kenyan Arabs reside along the Kenyan Indian Ocean coastline. They descend from Yemeni, Omani, and Persian traders of the pre-colonial times. The Swahili people are an ethnic group that resulted from Arab-Bantu intermarriage. They too live very humble lives in the coastal region.
Kenya as one
Despite having so many ethnic divisions and languages, the people of Kenya are proud to be Kenyans. Their quest for life and Swahili, the national language unites all as one.