Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Johnnie CARSON
embassy: US Embassy, United Nations Ave., Gigiti; P. O. Box 606
Village Market Nairobi
mailing address: Box 21A, Unit 64100, APO AE 09831
telephone: [254] (2) 537-800
FAX: [254] (2) 537-810
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the
red band is edged in white; a large warrior's shield covering
crossed spears is superimposed at the center
Economy Kenya
Economy - overview:
Kenya, the regional hub for trade and finance in East Africa, is
hampered by corruption and reliance upon several primary goods whose
prices remain low. Following strong economic growth in 1995 and
1996, Kenya's economy has stagnated, with GDP growth failing to keep
up with the rate of population growth. In 1997, the IMF suspended
Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program due to the
government's failure to maintain reforms and curb corruption. A
severe drought from 1999 to 2000 compounded Kenya's problems,
causing water and energy rationing and reducing agricultural output.
As a result, GDP contracted by 0.3% in 2000. The IMF, which had
resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through the drought, again
halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute
several anticorruption measures. Despite the return of strong rains
in 2001, weak commodity prices, endemic corruption, and low
investment limited Kenya's economic growth to 1%. Growth fell below
1% in 2002 because of erratic rains, low investor confidence, meager
donor support, and political infighting up to the elections. In the
key December 27, 2002 elections, Daniel Arap MOI's 24-year-old reign
ended, and a new opposition government took on the formidable
economic problems facing the nation. Substantial donor support and
rooting out corruption are essential to making Kenya realize its
substantial economic potential.
GDP:
purchasing power parity - $32.89 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.1% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24% industry: 13% services: 63% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:
50% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 37.2% (2000)