Guide to culture, legislation and children’s welfare in Kenya

Background
This document forms one of a series of countryprofiles written for Community Care Inform by Children and Families Across Borders (formerly ISS UK).

Quick links:
Population
Language
Religion
Ethnic background
Customs, cultures and belief systems
The position of children within Kenyan society
Issues of custom or etiquette to bear in mind when working with Kenyan families or children
The legal framework around child welfare
Issues around adoption and international movement of children
Snapshot of migration trends
Support organisations in the UK
Further information and advice

Population
41,070,934 (July 2011 est.)[1]

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Language
The official languages are English and Swahili/Kiswahili, a Bantu language influenced by Arabic.  English is the general language of government and business and is also used in most schools.  There are numerous local languages spoken by different ethnic groups.[2] [3]

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Religion
Christian – 78% (45% Protestant, 33% Roman Catholic), Islam 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2%.  The majority of the population is Christian but estimates for the numbers of people that follow Islam or indigenous beliefs vary widely.[4]

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Ethnic Breakdown
Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian/European/Arab) 1%.[5]

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Customs, cultures and belief systems
Situated in East Africa, bordering Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean, Kenya has been described as the ‘cradle of humanity’, following the discovery of evidence of some of man’s earliest ancestors in the Great Rift Valley.  It is an extremely diverse country in terms of ethnicity, which has contributed to the development of a vibrant culture, but has also caused a great deal of conflict.[6]

Following a violent struggle, Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963 and was ruled during the 1960s and 1970s by Jomo Kenyatta, the charismatic leader of the Kenya African National Union (Kanu).  Although a member of the Kikuyu ethnic group, Kenyatta attempted to overcome tribalism and cultural division, using the slogan harambee (‘let’s all pull together’) and including members of different ethnic groups in his government.  Kenyatta was succeeded in 1978 by Daniel arap Moi, who instigated the gradual imposition of a one-party state ruled by Kanu.  Individual liberty was restricted and sources of dissent in the media and churches were persecuted and closed down.[7]  However, following internal and external pressure, multi-party politics was re-introduced in the 1990s, leading to the election of Mwai Kibaki in 2002, which ended 40 years of Kanu rule.[8]

Despite the success of Kibaki in addressing Kenya’s economic problems, ethnic divisions continue to disrupt Kenyan politics, with many groups resenting the dominance of the Kikuyu.  Post-election violence followed elections in 2007, killing at least 1,500 people and displacing 300,000 until a UN-brokered deal secured peace in February 2008.[9]  However, there are already concerns that violence between rival ethnic groups will flare up again at the next election in 2012.[10]

Many Kenyans tend to identify firstly with their tribal or ethnic group, and secondarily with the nation as a whole.  Conflicts over land, ethnicity and the distribution of power have been a major obstacle in creating a unified Kenya and have hindered economic progress, leading to high levels of unemployment, crime and poverty.[11] [12]  Many aspects of daily life – food, clothing etc – differ according to tribal or ethnic group and the wealthy elite tend to be Kikuyu or Luo, who have assimilated Western culture more than other groups.[13]

Religion plays an important role in the life of most Kenyans, with Christianity the predominant faith.  Recent research found that 95% state they are ‘absolutely certain’ in their belief in God, and 71% agree that ‘It is necessary to believe in God in order to be moral and have good values.’[14]  At the same time, many people incorporate traditional African beliefs and practices into their Christianity – 44% reported believing in evil spirits, 27% in witchcraft, 24% in the ‘evil eye’ and 16% in sacrifices to spirits or ancestors to protect them from bad things happening.[15]  Although lower percentages than in some neighbouring countries, particularly Tanzania, these traditional beliefs continue to act as a source of tension between Kenyans and some Christian churches.[16]

Forms of social organization differ between ethnic groups.  However, for most people the extended family is important as a source of economic and social support.