IcFEM Gap Volunteers

 

The Republic of Kenya is an East African Country and covers an area of 582,650 sq km which is relatively the same size as France or Texas. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the North, Somalia to the East, Tanzania to the South, Uganda to the West, and Sudan to the North-West, with the Indian Ocean running down the South-East Border. From the coast on the Indian Ocean the low plains rise to central highlands. The highlands are bisected by the Great Rift Valley and the fertile plateau in the west. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. The highlands are the site of the highest point in Kenya, Mount Kenya, which reaches 5,199 m and is also the site of glaciers. Climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in interior. Kenya has a tropical to alpine climate and has two rainy seasons. Kenya is two- three hours ahead of the UK, depending on what time of year it is.

Kenya's main earners are tea, coffee, horticulture, agriculture and tourism. The country has a population of 30.7 million which increases by 2% every year. The life expectancy of Kenyans is only 46 years. Kenya’s capital city is Nairobi which has a population of 2.2. million. Other main towns in Kenya are Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru. During your time here you may have the chance to spend time in Kisumu and Eldoret.  The main languages which are used in the country are English, Kiswahili and there are multiple ethnic languages which include Bantu and Nilotic language groups.

The four main religions that you’ll find in Kenya are Christianity (87% of Kenya’s Population are Christian), Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam and there are also traditional beliefs. 

The administration of Kenya is divided into eight Provinces each headed by a presidentially appointed Provincial Commissioner. These Provinces are subdivided into Districts which are headed by the District Commissioner (DC). The Districts are then subdivided into Divisions which are headed by the District Officer (DO). The Division is then subdivided into Locations, and are headed by the Chief and then there comes the Sub Locations which are headed by the Assistant Chief. The Sub Locations are then divided into Villages and these are headed by the Village Elders.

At the present time (January 2008) the Local Government System is the following. Bungoma North District has 2 Divisions which includes Kimilili Division. The Kimilili Division has 4 locations which is divided into 8 Sub Locations. These 8 Sub Locations have an estimated 158 villages, within them the population of the Kimilili Division stands at around 113,000 people. 

The Nairobi Area is not included in any District or Province. These Districts and Provinces are supervised by the government. The eight Provinces are Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi Area, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western Province.

Kenya elects on national level a Head of State (The President) and a Legislature. The President is elected for a five year term by the people. The National Assembly has 224 members, 210 members elected for a five year term in single-seat constituencies, 12 members appointed and 2 ex official members. Kenya has a multi-party system, with two dominant political parties (PNU/ODM-K & ODM).

The Western Province is an administrative division of Kenya, bordering Uganda. It is located west of the Eastern Rift Valley. It is said that there are more Quakers in this Province than in the rest of the world combined. Kenya's second highest mountain, Mt. Elgon and the Kakamega Forest are found in Western Province. This Province has diverse physical features, from the hills of northern Bungoma Districts to the plains bordering Lake Victoria in Busia District. The highest point in the Province is the second peak of Mt. Elgon, while the lowest point is the lake-level town of Busia. The climate in Western Province is mainly tropical, with variations due to altitude. The entire Province experiences two rainy seasons annually, with the long rains in the earlier months of the year.

Bungoma North is a District of Western Kenya. The main town is called Bungoma. The economy of Bungoma North District relies mainly on the agriculture industry.

Kimilili is a town in Bungoma North District about 50 miles (80 km) North of the Equator, at an altitude of about 5600 ft above sea level. The area is occupied mainly by the Bukusu tribe. Kimilili is located on the fertile slopes of Mt. Elgon, on the Kenya-Uganda border. This has led Kimilili and the surrounding area to be a trading centre for agricultural goods and services. Days can be hot, but nights are always reasonably cool during December to March. A normal temperature is about 25C, but it can drop well below 20C  at night. It can reach 40C in the daytime, but this is unlikely if you are here during July to August because it is 'winter' in Kimilili.