The Kenya Population
Official figures released in January 2007 estimated the population of Kenya at 36.1 million in 2006. The population growth rate however, has dropped from 2.82% in 2005 to 2.75% in 2006. Part of this drop can largely be attributed to disease and better methods of family planning. The table below shows the 2006 population distribution by age group and gender.
Source: (Facts and figures 2007. Published by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. You can view or download this publication at http://www.cbs.go.ke)
Population Distribution
75 per cent of Kenya's population is concentrated in a high potential agricultural belt which runs north-west from Nairobi to the Ugandan border. This belt forms only 10 per cent of the country's land area. Most of the remaining area is either arid or semi-arid and is sparsely populated. Approximately three (3) million people live in Nairobi, the capital city.
Kenya Population Demographics
By Ethnicity
Kikuyu 22%Luhya 14%
Luo 13%
Kalenjin 12%
Kamba 11%
Kisii 6%
Meru 6%
Other African 15%
Non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
By Religion
Christian-Protestant 45%Roman Catholic 33%
Muslim 10%
Indigenous beliefs 10%
Other 2%
Source: CIA World Factbook (2006 edition)
It is important to note that the urban population has been growing at an alarming rate as many Kenyans migrate from their rural homes to urban centres and major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret. These people migrate in search of employment and better standards of living. This has resulted in over-population in major cities and scarcity of jobs. Most of the urban dwellers however retain links with their rural and extended families. They visit home often where they contribute in other activities such farming, fishing and taking care of the family.