Facts About Kenya

Here are some interesting facts about Kenya for kids which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Facts about Kenya: Zebras in Nairobi National Park and Jumping Maasai (iSelena/shutterstock)

Kenya Facts for Kids

  • Population: about 56 million people live in Kenya (2023)
  • Capital city: Nairobi with about 5 million people
  • Name: Republic of Kenya
  • Government: presidential republic
  • Languages: 2 official languages: Kiswahili (also referred to as Swahili) and English
  • Religion: mainly Christians (83%), Muslims (mainly living in the coastal regions), Hindu, Jews and other faiths
  • Currency: 1 Kenyan Shilling (KES) = 100 Cents
  • History: Kenya became independent in 1963.
  • National Animal: lion
  • National Colours: black, red, green and white
  • National Day: Jamhuri Day 12 December (Independence Day)
  • National Anthem: “Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu” (Oh God of All Creation” is based on a traditional folk song in Kenya
  • Motto: Harambee (Let us all pull together)
  • History: Earliest inhabitants were hunter-gatherers. Bantu tribes settle in the region about 500 BC. Already in 1414 Chinese trader Zheng He visited the region. Later European explorers and Arab traders visited and settled mainly in the coastal regions around Mombasa, which is Kenya’s oldest city. From 1895 the country was part of the East African Protectorate and controlled by the British Empire. From 1920 the country was referred to as British Kenya. Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963.
  • President: William Ruto (since August 2022)