Not only has Kenya been recognized as the "cradle of humanity" but it has one of the most diverse and colorful collection of tribal people on the continent. Kenya also has some of the largest, best-stocked and most accessible game parks in Africa, coral reefs and palm-fringed white-sand beaches along the Indian Ocean. Wild life protection (instead of poaching) helps local tribes and country inhabitants to income and employment from the tourist industry. In Jackson at Rekero in the Masai Mara conservation area, local Masai became shareholder in a safari camp to the benefit of his whole village. A rich farming area is found near Nakuru. Mombassa has chronic water problems.

Thanks to the temperate climate of its plateau, Kenya has attracted large numbers of European colonists who tried to slow down the evolution of the country towards independence. European settlement met with a lot of African armed resistance and by the early 1920s African political organisations had begun to develop. By the 1940s European settlers had become very wealthy while the growth in the African population resulted in increasing pressure for land.

Culture:

At Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi you can see traditional dances and hear songs from the country’s 16 ethnic groups at this cultural center in Langata. Daily performances at 2.30 p.m.

Nairobi:

Nairobi is located at an altitude of 1,680m (5,500ft) above sea level. It has been Kenya's capital ever since the country gained independence in 1963, and started as a British colonial railway settlement in the 1890's. Nairobi became the British colonial capital of Ukamba province in 1899 and achieved it's city status in 1954. Today, Nairobi is the leading industrial and commercial center of the country. Major industries include railways, tourism, and light-manufacturing industries like beverages, cigarettes and processed food. It is well connected by roads, railways and air with the rest of the country and to its neighboring countries. Nairobi is a gateway for trips to most of Kenya's National Parks. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, named after Jomo Kenyatta - one of the principal freedom fighting figures in Kenya, is a major international airport in Africa. Prominent buildings in the city include the Kenyatta Conference Centre, the Parliament building and city hall, courts, Roman Catholic Cathedral, University of Nairobi and its constituent institutions. Also, present in the city are the Central Government Archives, National Museum of Kenya, McMillan Memorial Library, Kenyan National Theatre.

Tourism:

Diana Beach on the south coast of Mombassa is a typical "tropical paradise" beach. Mombassa is the largest port on the East coast of Africa; its docks serve Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Mt Kilimanjaro or Kibo, in Amboseli National Park, Africa’s highest peak and the highest mountain in the world, is the background of grassy plains with huge herds of elephants and black rhinos. It is located in northern Tanzania, near the border with Kenya. The two peaks of Kilamanjaro stand over 10 kilometers (6 miles) apart. Both are volcanic. The crater of Kibo is covered with ice that reflects a very beautiful blue hue. 1200 Different species of birds can be found in Lake Baringo National park. The spectacular annual wildebeest migration can be seen at Masai Mara National Reserve in the widely beautiful Serengeti Plains.

Economy:

Kenya's economy is reasonably diversified, though most employment is dependent on agriculture, which contributes 26 percent of GDP. Kenya is the world's third largest exporter of tea, which, together with coffee and horticultural products, contributes about 50 percent of total merchandize exports. Tourism accounts for another 19 percent of Kenya's GDP, and is the second most important source of foreign exchange. The industrial sector currently contributes only 19 percent of GDP, and is a growing source of exports in the East African region.

History:

Kenya was a British colony and protectorate from the 1890s until independence in December 1963. Kenya, formerly known as British East Africa, was declared a British protectorate in 1895,to secure a route to Uganda. The “Mau Mau revolt” as it became known, provoked panic amongst the colonists, and forced the British government to try and find a solution. Kau was banned and Kenyatta arrested. The state of emergency was lifted in 1960 and in the elections that followed, Kau won the majority. Jomo Kenyatta was released and in 1963 he became prime minister. In 1964, Kenya became a republic with Kenyatta as its first president. Jomo Kenyatta, transformed Kenya into a de facto single-party state as leader of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, which established and maintained political dominance. After his death in 1978, Mr. Kenyatta was succeeded by Daniel arap Moi who has remained in office since. Kenya became a de jure one-party state from 1982 until 1992, when more parties were allowed following domestic and foreign pressure on the government. Nevertheless, Mr. Moi led the KANU party to election victories in 1992 and 1997. Although KANU has dominated Kenyan post-independence politics, legalized pluralism in 1992 led to the emergence of several opposition parties mainly based on ethnic lines. In the 1997 general election, the combined vote for the opposition exceeded that for KANU, but as separate parties they could not gain control of the parliament or the presidency.