Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Now in his second term, current president Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his “Big Four” initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing.
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The Republic of Kenya is located in the eastern part of the African continent lying between latitudes 5° North and 5° South and between longitudes 34° West and 42° East. It is almost bisected by the equator and shares borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan to the North; Uganda to the West; Tanzania to the South; Somalia to the North East; and the Indian Ocean, the natural boundary to the South Eastern side, with a coastline of about 536 kilometres.
Kenya has an area of approximately 582,646 (sq. km) comprising 97.8% land and 2.2% water surface. Only 20% of the land area can be classified as medium to high potential (suitable for arable agricultural) and the rest of the land is mainly arid or semi-arid (suitable for extensive livestock production, wildlife and irrigated farming). Agricultural land makes up 48% of the land area. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics there are 43 million people in Kenya as of 2015. 78% of the population is rural.
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