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KENYAN CULTURE
Livelihood
Most Kenyans farm for a living. However,only15% of Kenya's total land area is useful for farming, mostly in the Western Highlands around Lake Victoria, Mount Kenya, and along the coast. On traditional farms, Kenyans still use ancient farming methods.
The largest farm crops include maize and legumes. Millet, cassava, and sorghum also have high production. Tea has become one of Kenya's most important crops after many years of competition with coffee. Kenya is now the third highest producer of tea, following India and China. Coffee continues to be an important export. Other crops include cashew nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Agriculture is one of Kenya's prime exports
Education
With its independence, Kenya expanded the education system to enable more Kenyans to shape the economy. They restructured the system of education to an 8- 4 - 4 system of formal education. The new system was intended to meet the increasing demands for technically and professionally qualified people. Today, more than 6 million Kenyans are enrolled in schools throughout the country, and adult literacy rates are about 60 percent for men and 40 percent for women.
Since 1970 there has been a tremendous expansion in universities in response to the high demand for university education in Kenya. The country now has five public universities. The more recently established universities give greater emphasis to technology and science-oriented degrees. In addition there are ten private universities in the country offering a range of degrees.
Recreation
Many things of interest are available to visitors to Kenya. They include wildlife safaris, mountain climbing, adventure travel, and bird watching. Kenya's national wildlife parks and conservational botanical sanctuaries are sources for many hours of pleasure.
Economy
Kenya's economic advancement during her early years of independence until 1980 has faded substantially. Several factors have combined to hinder progress. These include an ineffective management of the agricultural sector, the drop in the prices of key agricultural exports, high population growth, and more recently, the influx of refugees from neighboring countries and government corruption.
- Main industries: consumer goods, textiles, food processing, petroleum refining, cement, tire manufacturing, vehicle assembly, and construction materials
- Main exports: coffee, petroleum, tea, fruits and vegetables, sisal, pyrethrum, cement, and cut flowers
- Domestic consumption: corn, sorghum, cassava, beans, and fruit
- Per capita income: US$320
- Unemployment is a growing factor in the cities as population growth exceeds available job opportunities.
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling