A few basic facts make planning easier. Here is Kenya at a glance, with links to the detailed guides.
The basics
- Capital: Nairobi.
- Official languages: Swahili and English.
- Currency: the Kenyan shilling (KES). See Kenya money guide.
- Time zone: UTC+3 (East Africa Time).
- Calling code: +254. See SIM cards and M-Pesa.
- Area: about 580,367 square kilometres.
- Population: 47,564,296 in the 2019 census, with a 2026 estimate of about 54.2 million.
- Counties: 47.
Geography
Kenya borders South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda, and has Lake Victoria to the west and the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Its highest point is Mount Kenya at 5,199 metres. See Mount Kenya.
Independence
Kenya became independent on 12 December 1963 and declared a republic on 12 December 1964. See public holidays.
Before you go
- Visa and entry requirements and the ETA
- Vaccinations and health and malaria advice
- Plugs and charging
- Best time to visit
- National parks in Kenya
Plan with us
Our meet-ups and tour starts are in Nairobi. Tell us your dates and we will take care of the rest.
Land and climate
The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya and splits the central highlands. The largest lake is Lake Turkana, at about 6,405 square kilometres, and the longest river is the Tana. The coast along the Indian Ocean is about 536 kilometres long. Mount Kenya is generally given as 5,199 metres, though some sources say 5,197.
Climate varies with altitude. The coast is tropical, wetter and warmer than inland, and Mombasa averages about 26 °C year-round. Nairobi sits at 1,798 metres and ranges from about 9 to 27 °C, so evenings can be cool. The inland and northern regions are drier and more arid. Mombasa’s heaviest rainfall is in April and May. Read Kenya weather by month for detail.
Religion
In the 2019 census, 85.5 percent of Kenyans were Christian and 11 percent Muslim. About 60 percent of Muslims live in the Coastal Region, where they make up about half the population. Indigenous beliefs were reported by 0.7 percent, though many Christians and Muslims keep some traditional customs.
Sources give slightly different figures for Kenya’s area, so treat the 580,367 square kilometres above as approximate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Kenya?
Nairobi.
What language is spoken in Kenya?
Swahili and English are the official languages.
What time zone is Kenya in?
UTC+3 (East Africa Time).
What is Kenya’s highest mountain?
Mount Kenya, at 5,199 metres.
What is the climate like in Nairobi?
Nairobi sits at 1,798 metres and ranges from about 9 to 27 °C, so evenings can be cool.
How long is Kenya’s coastline?
About 536 kilometres along the Indian Ocean.
What is Kenya’s largest lake?
Lake Turkana, at about 6,405 square kilometres.
Want help planning? Talk to our team and tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you would like to see.
Facts checked on 5 November 2026 from Wikipedia’s Kenya, Geography of Kenya and Demographics of Kenya entries (secondary sources). The population figure for 2026 is an estimate.
