2. Culture
Kenya is located in East
Africa and has a total
area of 582, 650 square
kilometers, which is twice
the size of Nevada. The
population of Kenya is
43,013,341 and is made
up of more than 40
different ethnic groups
with their own language.
The national languages
of Kenya are Swahili and
English.
3. Sports
The most popular sport in Kenya is soccer.
Athletes from around the world look up to Kenya’s
soccer legends Kipchoge Keino, Henry Rono,
Paul Tergat and Catherine Ndereba, and others.
4. Diet
Their diet includes foods that are very rich in
ethnic diversity, such as ugali, rice, bread,
chapatti, beef, chicken, goat, tilapia and fresh
fruits and vegetables. Nyama Choma is Kenya’s
national dish, it is charcoal-grilled beef or goat
meat and it is very popular in restaurants and
pubs.
6. History
In June 1982, the National Assembly amended
the Constitution, making Kenya officially a one-
party state.
In December 2007 Kenya held presidential,
parliamentary and local government elections.
In February 2008, president Kibaki and Raila
Odinga signed a power-sharing agreement.
7. Education
In the United States primary and secondary
public education is an expected service of the
government, and higher education is possible
through financial aid by the government. But in
Kenya anything past primary education becomes
very expensive. This financial barrier prevents
children from getting anything past a basic
education. It is believed that a higher education is
the best weapon against poverty. The ability to
change your path in life is very difficult because
children are forced to leave school and start a life
of manual labor and poverty.
8. Culturally Competent
In order for teachers to be culturally competent
with Kenyans they need to know the educational
background of Kenya and the financial barrier
that exists there.
A proposed lesson plan that I might use in second
grade with someone who has just moved to the
U.S. from Kenya could be beneficial for everyone
in the class. I could have the child tell the class a
little bit about his or her life in Kenya so that we
can all learn a little bit about the culture.
9. Youth
In Kenya boys are more valued than girls because they
can carry on the family name, but girls were also
needed because they could bring wealth to the family.
Now young people are eloping more and marrying
without consent or dowry. There is a decline in the
communities’ role in disciplining and educating
children, therefore adults are losing control over the
young.
10. Family Life
People from Kenya are friendly and hospitable, and
they place great importance on family. Their families
are often large and usually include the extended
family. They honor collective responsibilities and
traditional values, which include treating the elderly
with respect and reverence.
11. Resources
Kenya - Location and size, Population, Tourism,
Financial services, Dependencies, Capital:
Kenya Culture - Kenya's Unique Identity
CIA - The World Factbook
Kenya: The Big Picture on Health | The CSIS
Global Health Policy Center
Mountain Voices: oral testimonies from Mount
Elgon, Kenya: local themes: family life
Operation Alma-Ata: No Way Out: Barriers to
Education in Rural Kenya
