The nearly 30 million Kenyans are distributed in a very uneven way throughout the country, given that the north and northeast regions are arid and little hospitable for human settling. In this regions, population density hardly reaches 2 inhabitants per sq km, whereas in the rich and fertile western the rate rises to 120 inhabitants per sq km. In the Rift Valley, denisty varies among areas, with an average around 13 inhabitants per sq km.

Kenya's population is mostly black. The different tribes are grouped according to their linguistic origin. Around 65% of the total belong to bantu tribes, dwelling in the Central Highlands, the southeast and the coastal regions. The nilotic 30% settle in the southwest and the central Rift Valley region, whereas the 3% cushites inhabit the northern areas. The population spectrum also comprises some minorities, such as Hindus, Arabs and Europeans. This diversity is the cause for most Kenyans speaking more than one language. The native tongues persist, but Swahili is the common language for all East Africa. English is official and Kenyans learn it at school.

Diversity is a source of wealth, but also of conflicts. Despite the government's efforts to inspire in Kenyans the idea of one united people with a common destiny, the truth is that in Kenya, as in many other African countries, the feeling of nation applies mainly to the own tribe. Many Kenyans, especially those who do not have the chance to receive education, do not yet assume the concept of state. The Maasai land was split by the arbitrary border between Kenya and Tanzania, little more than one hundred years ago. Time remorselessly tears apart the destinies of the Maasai at either side of the border, but the collective memory still keeps the notion of one people. Thus, the Maasai find it difficult to understand why the way to their cousins' villages is cut by an imaginary line that is difficult to cross. Even today, penetration of a tribe within other tribe's territory is received with distrust at the very least, and frequently with hostility.

The following is an abstract of the general data about Kenya's population. Except when specified, figures correspond to 1999.

Population: 28,808,658

Population structure by ages:

0-14 years: 43% (6,244,321 male, 6,104,181 female)
15-64 years: 54% (7,845,083 male, 7,826,442 female)
Over 64 years: 3% (343,449 male, 445,182 female)

Population growth rate: 1.59%

Birth rate: 30.8 births per 1,000 inhabitants

Death rate: 14.58 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants

Migration rate: -0.34 emigrants per 1,000 inhabitants

Population structure by gender:

At birth: 1.03 males/female
Less than 15 years: 1.02 males/female
15-64 years: 1 male/female
Over 64 years: 0.77 males/female
Total population: 1 male/female

Child death rate: 59.07 deaths per 1,000 living births

Life expectancy at birth:

Total population: 47.02 years
Males: 46.56 years
Females: 47.49 years

Natality rate: 3.88 births per woman

Ethnic groups:

Kikuyu: 22%
Luhya: 14%
Luo: 13%
Kalenjin: 12%
Kamba: 11%
Kisii: 6%
Meru: 6%
Other Africans: 15%
Non Africans (Asians, Europeans and Arabs): 1%

Religions:

Protestants: 38%
Catholics: 28%
Indigenous religions: 26%
Muslims: 7%
Others: 1%

Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), numerous local languages

Literacy: (able to read and write over 14 years, 1995 data)

Total population: 78.1%
Males: 86.3%
Females: 70%