"3-minute read" What kind of country is Kenya?

June 17, 2025

First, let's check out the basics of Kenya!

Many people have heard of Kenya, but don't know what kind of country it actually is. So, this time we have compiled basic information about the Republic of Kenya, located in East Africa.

item	detail
Official name	Republic of Kenya
capital	Nairobi
population	Approximately 54 million people
area	Approximately 580,000 km² (approximately 1.5 times the size of Japan)
Official language	Swahili and English
ethnicity	Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo, Kamba, etc. More than 40 tribes coexist
Major Industries	Agriculture (coffee, tea, flowers)
currency	Kenyan Shilling (KES)
time difference	6 hours behind Japan

The current population is less than half of Japan's, but it is expected to grow to 70.3 million in the next 20 years (JETRO). With a pyramidal population structure with a large young demographic, future economic development is expected.

It is also worth noting that it is a multicultural country where more than 40 tribes live together, and it is also famous as a major producer of the coffee and tea that we drink every day, so you may have a connection to Kenya without even realizing it.

Scenic spots in Kenya that you'll want to visit at least once!

When you think of Kenya, the first thing that comes to mind is safari.

Based on my own personal opinion, I have compiled a list of tourist spots that I would like to visit and relax at if I had some time off.

Spot name	Features	Best season	Recommended points
Masai Mara National Reserve	Famous for the great wildebeest migration	July to October	See the spectacular animal migration
Mount Kenya	Africa's second highest peak	January to March, June to October	Enjoy mountain climbing and trekking
Lake Nakuru	A flock of flamingos	all year round	A spectacular view like a pink carpet
Mombasa	Indian Ocean coast resorts	December to March	Relax on a beautiful beach
Nairobi National Park	Safari in the city	all year round	Easy access to a safari experience
Amboseli National Park	Overlooking Kilimanjaro	June to October, January to March	Spectacular views of Kilimanjaro and a herd of elephants

Each of these spots allows you to experience the majesty and charm of nature. If you don't have much time, we recommend Nairobi National Park!

You must try this Kenyan food!

Since there are few restaurants in Japan that serve African cuisine or Kenyan cuisine, it may not be very familiar to many people. So, we will introduce some of the most popular dishes eaten in Kenya.

Dish name	explanation	Taste characteristics	Recommendation level
Ugali	Corn flour staple food	Light and chewy texture	★★★★☆
Nyama Choma	Charcoal grilled meat dishes	Spicy and fragrant	★★★★★
Sukuma Wiki	Stir-fried kale	Light and healthy	★★★☆☆
Gizeli	Bean dishes	Nutritious and creamy	★★★☆☆
Chai	Spiced milk tea	Sweet and spicy	★★★★★
Mandazi	Fried bread	Slightly sweet and fluffy	★★★★☆

Ugali is eaten with the hands and has a mild, dry, and chewy texture, so it is recommended to eat it with fish.

And "Nyama Choma" is charcoal-grilled meat, the soul food of Kenyans! It has a different flavor to Japanese yakiniku. And don't forget the "chai." As the home of black tea, the milk tea with plenty of spices is exquisite.

What you need to know about the current situation in Kenya

Kenya has beautiful nature and a rich culture, but it also faces a variety of challenges. The gap between urban and rural areas and the difficulty of finding employment for the younger generation are serious issues. Furthermore, the effects of climate change often make agriculture unstable, and there are concerns about food shortages. Walking around the city, you will see many child beggars.

However, recently, the mobile phone money transfer system "M-Pesa" (a service similar to electronic money in Japan) has become widespread, making money management much more convenient, and innovative services have also been developed in the IT field.

The charm of Kenyan fashion and African fabrics that adult women should pay attention to!

The Kenyan fashion scene is truly diverse, ranging from traditional handicrafts to modern, stylish designs. We've compared African fabrics that we think adults in particular should know about.

Types of African Fabrics	Kanga	Kitenge (Ankara)
birthplace	East Africa	West and Central Africa
material	100% cotton	100% cotton (thick)
Features	Includes a Swahili message	Wax print technique
Pattern trends	Vivid colors and text	Geometric and natural motifs
Thickness	Thin and light	Thick and sturdy
How to use	Wrap skirts and scarves	Dresses and jackets
Recommended for people in their 40s	★★★★☆	★★★★★

Kanga is a cotton cloth that is popular among women in East Africa, and is printed with meaningful messages in Swahili, making it a tool for communication between women. It's quite romantic, isn't it?

Kitenge is a thick cotton fabric made using a special technique called wax printing. It features bold patterns with geometric and natural motifs, and just putting one on will create a striking look. There are plenty of designs that exude a sophisticated, sophisticated feel.

Ideas for using African fabrics

item	Suitable for Kanga	Suitable for kitenge	Recommended points
one piece	△	◎	Excellent body shape coverage effect
skirt	◎	◎	Add an accent to your outfit
bag	◎	◎	Unique and unique
scarf	◎	△	Brighten up your face
slippers	△	◎	Bringing smiles to everyday life and customer service