Kipepeo Butterfly Farm

Kipepeo Butterfly Farm:
Next to the entrance to Gedi ruins, is the most important butterfly farm in Kenya, called Kipepeo, meaning “butterfly” in Swahili. This facility deserves an honour among the best practices of suitable growth. Prior to its starting, there was strong opposition among the inhabitants, to the preservation of a forest that reverted no rewards to them and stood as a stumbling block to the economic growth of the area. The forest was under a serious threat and the per capita income of the farmers was so meagre.
In the year 1993, the East African Natural History Society and the National Museums of Kenya came together to launch the Kipepeo project, intended to protect the forest, help in the preservation of its scarce butterfly species and at the same time, promote the increase of the local economy.

The idea was crystal clear. Local farmers tantamounting to 150, were trained, were trained to look after butterfly larvae giving them the native trees’ leaves as food. Kipepeo raises the eggs and supplies the newly hatched larvae to the farmers, who look after the caterpillars and sell the pupae back to Kipepeo. The farm generates the adult butterfly for export to Europe and America, either as conserved specimens for museum collections or as insects living for other farms or displays. The farm’s skilful workers have checked the lack of bad effects of this activity on the wild butterflies’ numbers. Today, the farmers have an everlasting source of income and are in for the preservation of the forest.

There are three houses open to the public at Kipepeo. The first one has the females that lay their eggs on the leaves of the plants they feed on. The second one has the net cages where the larvae grow from. Lastly, in the third house, the male flap among the visitors.
The farm is open everyday from 8:00am to 5:00am.

Kenya National Parks Safari Tour

More National Parks of Kenya

Nairobi National Park safari

Tsavo National Park Safari

Samburu Safari

Lake Nakuru Safari

Meru National Park

Mount Kenya National Park

Lake Baringo

ARAWALE NATIONAL RESERVE:
Arawale national reserve is found in the North Eastern province, in Ganisa district, 5Km from the left ground at the edge of river Tana.

Arawale was gazetted in the year 1973, occupying an area of 533Km2 and the main aim of preserving a scarce antelope species which is found only in this area, the Hirola or hunter’s hantebeest. The landscape in this region is mostly a dry thorn bush savannah.

ARAWALE NATIONAL RESERVE: ACCESS:
Going to Arawale needs a 4-wheel drive, since there are no paths inside nor getting to the reserve. You can access Arawale either from Nairobi or the east.

Leaving Nairobi Northward along the A2, turn right at Thika to the A3. This route goes to Garisa, but before getting to this town, you will turn right to the B8 Southward, leading to Malindi and Mombasa. After a 90Km drive, you will get to a deviation left to the town of Bura, where you will reach after crossing river Tana. There is across road in Bura, where you will go to the right. This route is the B568, which borders the Eastern premise of Arawale before heading for Jjara and the coast.

Arawale is found 250Km North of Mombasa and 130Km North of Malindi. From both of these town, you will drive North on the 138 road, which runs parallel to the coast until turning inland upstream the Tana river. The town of Garsen and the Tana river primate national reserve left behind, get to the right to the path that leads to Masalani and Ijara. You will meet a deviation left that goes northward, after crossing the Tana. This road crosses the reserve before getting to Masabubu town. A different opinion is to go from Masalani to Ijara, where you will use the D568 to the left toward Masaubu and Bura.
Before getting to Masabubu, the path passes near the eastern border of Arawale.

ARAWALE NATIONAL RESERVE: WILDLIFE:
Hunter’s harlebeest or Hirola (Damaliscus hunter) a relatively small antelope with lyre-shaped horns, is the reserve’s outstanding asset. This scarce and shy antelope is very seriously caused danger to.
Its sphere goes up to the Somali border, but there is a very scarce population and sightings are not often. The reserve also gets some elephants, giraffe, grevy’s zebras, lesser kuddu, buffalo, hippos and crocodiles.

BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE:
Meru national park is flanked to the south and east by a group of reserves and parks that work as a preservation cushion. The land strip was set under protection with two main aims of enabling better movement for Meru wildlife and protecting the park in as far as its being attacked by humans is concerned. One of these reserves is Bisanadi, lying near to Meru downstream Tana river..
The boreder between Meru and Bisanadi marks the traditional limit between the Meru and Boran tribes.

The river was set up in 1979, with an area covering 606Km2 in the eastern territory, in Isiolo district. Bissandi is a stretch of thornbush and arid savannah, which at the ground at the edge of river Tana and other streams, give way to swamps and palm tree forests.

BISANADI NATIONAL RESERVE: ACCESS:
Bisanadi does not have roads and paths, thus accessing the reserve is hard and can only be reached by driving a WD vehicle form nearby Meru national park or from river Tana, at the reserve’s south border. In any case and mostly because of the safety problems in the region, the reserve is not ready for tourism and reaching there is limited. If you want to organize a tour, you will have to request for a written order giving permission at Kenya wildlife services Headquarters in Langata, near Nairobi national park.
Travelling by air is offered through an airstrip in Korbessa.

BONI-DODORI NATIONAL RESERVES:
It is very rare that your journey includes a tour to Boni and Dodori, both of which are found at the northern most corner of Kenyan coast, neighbouring the Somali border. Bad to mention, the conditions there are not safe. The area is invaded in a hostile way by Somali guerrillas and thus the tour is greatly restricted, more so to Boni.

Both Boni and Dodori were gazetted in 1976 and are part of Lamu district, in the coast province.
Dodori extends up to 877Km2, while Boni covers, 1,339Km2.
Boni is situated right near to the Somali border, in the traditional resident place of the Boni hunter tribe, presently reduced to a few hundreds of people. Dodori reserve acquire its name from the river powering in the Indian Ocean at Dodori creek, a breeding place for dugongs.

Dodori produces a variety of vegetation mainly comprising of coastal and riverine forests, mangroves, swampy grasslands and savannah. Thornbush that cannot be penetrated is scattered with gigantic baobabs, far from the rivers and channels. At the Dodori coastal area, waterholes are often visited by gazelles, antelopes and water birds.

Arabuko Sokoke

This small national park in Kilifi district, having only 6Km2, is a small part of the largest stretch of indigenous coastal forest that survives in East Africa.
The Arabuko Sokoke forest having 358Km2, is situated North of Kilifi to Gedi, South of Malindi, and inland toward the town of Jilore. The forest protects the landscape that previously covered all the strip near the shore line of the Indian ocean. This jewel of nature has been announced the second most important forest in Africa for bird conservation, and is presently under consideration for the rank of World Heritage site.

The good things in this forest were already recognized during the colonial days, when the place was declared Reserve of the Crown. It was further protected as a forest reserve in 1977, and a small part was ranked National park in 1991, purposely to protect two scarce mammal species bordering extinction, the Adeis duiker and the yellow-rumped elephant shrew, as well as six bird species.

In 1991, when the park was gazetted, indigenous people were greatly not satisfied because the forest was a hindrance to the agricultural rehabilitation of the land resources, which could probably be of great importance to the region’s damaged economy.
A research showed that 96% of the native people was not happy with the presence of the forest and a 54% supported its removal. Land hunger, inadequacy of resources and crop raid by the wildlife, created a threat to the future of a world unique atmosphere.

Since then, the decisions undertaken have made the Arabuko Sokoke forest one outstanding yardstick of suitable growth. With an aim of balancing the use of forest resources and conservation, the forest Department and Kenya wildlife service came in to launch the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Management Team (ASFMT). The aim of this group is to stop the abuse of forest stretches for shortsighted uses on behalf of indigenous communities, trying to achieve at the same time, a role of the forest as a booster of the area’s economy. On the other side, the Kipepeo Butterfly Farm project has re-launched domestic economy in a way that, in the year 1998, a new a showed that 84% of the natives were in support of forest conservation.

Together with the nearby Mida creek, Arabuko Sokoke hosts a wide biological diversity, with many rare species of birds, butterflies, amphibians and plants. The trees in the area have originally provided the indigenous communities with firewood, medicines, poles, timber and carving wood.

Buffalo Springs Kenya

The Northern Frontier landscape:
One of the most exciting places in Kenya is the whole consisting of Samburu, Buffalo and Shaba reserves. This can be graded as unequalled to, because of various reasons. Of all the reserved places in the country’s rough north, right at the edge of what was initially called NFD of Northern Frontier District, these reserves are reached and toured most. It is at this place that some scarce species in Kenya or species hard to see on other parks are viewed, since they only reside above the equator. Some of them include; Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and Beisa Oryx.
Unfortunately, these three reserves are also the most scandalous example of a practice
I personally find exceeding, even for such a good aspect as conservation of nature. Samburu and Buffalo springs are near to each other, being separated by only a river.
Since this stream makes the border between two different districts and reserves are under district authorities, in proper code of conduct, you are bound to pay the entrance fee to both reserves differently, when actually they are one natural unit. Surprisingly, the chance to go through one reserve to another with no double payment to both reserves seems to rely entirely on the ranger’s notions, of course putting a side the other counter practice of “tipping” which I do not concur with as an individual. There is a bridge across the river some 3Km upstream Samburu lodge.

The frontier condition given to this area also refers to the traditional problems with the Somali guerrillas that happen time after time north of this region. Shortly after the gazetting of the reserves, in the 1960’s-1970’s, they were left closed for many years because of ongoing encroachment by the rebels. Though this and the more current safety problems sadly stamed some keepers of the reserves, touring these reserves is obligatory within the basic plan of the journey. Formally, Buffalo springs occupied both grounds at the edge of river Ewaso Nyiro (Uaso Ngiro, Dark waters”) along 16Km, but afterwards, the north ground at the edge of the river was separated as an independent reserve, since this region is under the Samburu District (“butterfly” in the Ma language) and the south side belongs to the jurisdiction of Ijolo District, to which Shaba also belongs. Isolo District is under the eastern province, while Samburu district is found in the Rift valley Province.

Shaba, the less found among the three reserves, is also the widest, with a total area of 239Km2. Samburu and Buffalo springs are not so different in surface, for Samburu covers 165Km2 and Buffalo springs occupy 128Km2. The region has been traditionally occupied by the Sambuu people, a nomad parandotic tribe with close relations to the Maasai.

The Sambru complex landscape introduces what the visitor should anticipate if he sets his feet to go to the Northern Province, thus its classical “frontier” epithet: arid thorn bush, savannah, scrubland and scattered acacia. The dusty plains are broken by smooth hills, outstanding the Koitogorr uplift in Samburu (1.245m) and lying far beyond, the flat head of the reddish Ol Oloka mountain. The much heat, inspite of the height above sea level, often times over 1,000m, and the landscape devastation, are very important ingredients of Samburu’s specific charm. It is the face of the less hospitable Africa, probably hence, prouder. Seeing them at first, these reserves could suggest a wildlife desert. Infact, this arid scrub is abetter liked home for some mammals very used to this harsh and cruel environment, some of them a bit scarcely viewed in milder climates.

Indeed, it is true that the greater number of wildlife comes around the scarce wet regions, mostly the forested grounds at the edge of Ewaso Nyiro, which carries the Aberdare waters, and the obvious Buffalo springs, at the eastern side of the reserve, which are formed by the rise of underground streams coming from Kenya mountain. The moist places enable a more prolific vegetation to rise, with the prehistorical-looking bi-branched doum palms, riverine forests and grasslands. The high faunal concentration at the waterholes and streams is a present for the watcher of wildlife, whereas animals also seem to entertain themselves gazing fixedly with eyes wide open, at the visitors dipping in one of the Buffalo springs pools, which is conditioned for bathing.

Past Samburu and Buffalo springs, the river goes on licking the north border of Shaba. This place acquires its name from a volcanic cone that rises upon the plain and whose lava flow is crossed while going to the lodge. Past Shaba, the river wanders about down to Chanler’s falls, to finally end in the Lonan swamp.
Shaba’s landscape is dealt with low hills and its four natural springs bestow a much higher wetness level than its nearby reserves, to such an extent that when the rains come, Shaba’s paths are only accessed by 4WD vehicles. Generally, the reserve is under developed and is thus more peaceful and secluded than its sisters.

Shaba is the place known for the incident which happened in 1980, when Joy Adamson, female writer of “Born free”, was unlawfully killed by poachers. At the time when she died, the popular conservationist was involved in a project having a purpose of introducing hand-neared leopards to the natural environment.

Lake Bogoria National Reserve Kenya

LAKE BOGORIA NATIONAL RESERVE:
Bogoria lake is a saline water shallow found at the northern part of the Kenyan Rift, 25Km south of Baringo. The reserve occupies the lake and the nearby lands, with an area of 107Km2. During the colonial era, the lake had acquired its name from its founder, the Kampala bishop James Hannington, who was the first European to see this area in 1885, while on his journey for his diocese, using Thompson’s road. This would be a glorious day for the priest, but also his last trip, since as he reached lake Victoria he was mercilessly killed under the order of Mwanga II the harsh King of Buganda.

If Baringo is continuously drawing closer more tourists due to its adequate birdlife, Bogona either is, atleast was still a few years ago, an area where the tourist can find pleasure in the African general appearance of natural features in full solitude. A part from the ornithology lovers, who do not spare the move to Baringo, this place is a bit off the most influential planned journeys, more so those organizing one week. This is because Bogonia is not near outstanding for its mammals’ wildlife, the main aim for most visitors.
Though , if I had to select one part for which just the beauty of the landscape is worth touring, perhaps I would choose this one.

J.W. Gregory, the English geologist who toured the place in 1892, graded the area as “the most beautiful view in Africa”. However, he was right. The lake shows a very good general appearance of natural features of bluish hills habited with dry bush, grasslands and riverine forests, framing the calm water shallow pinned with flamingos. Past the eastern land that skirts the lake, the soil rises suddenly to 600m in the Laikipia Escarpment. At the opposite edge, the earth makes strangely coloured swampy crusts, which break up in deep gaps spitting stinky sulphur waters and stream jets. The close-up geysers, the pink brushstrokes of the flamingos on the lake and farther the dramatic backdrop of the Laikipia Escarpment, convey a hardly beatable aesthetical composition. But be careful not to come so near because the signposts warnings “stop-danger zone-go back”, are serious. The earth collapses below your feet and there is also boiling water.

Bogoria is not even the worst of a wildlife descent. Good lovers of wildlife will like the unparalleled value of being the easiest place to reach in the whole country, where you have the priviledge to view the majestic greater kudu. To add to the other mammals, flamingos and multiple birds fill up the wildlife supply of this reserve.

Kenya Safari Lodges Reviews and Ratings

Masai Mara Lodges

* Mara Serena Lodge
* Mara Simba Lodge
* Mpata Safari Club
* Mara Sopa Lodge
* Saruni Lodge
* Governor’s Bush
* Siana Springs
* Richard’s Camp
* Mara Explorer Camp
* Ol Seki Mara Camp
* Cottars 1920s Safari Camp

Amboseli Parks

* Amboseli Wildlife Safari
* Camping Safari Amboseli
* Amboseli Lodge
* Amboseli Sopa Lodge
* Ol Kanjau Camp
* Amboseli Serena Lodge
* Ol Tukai Safari Lodge
* Amboseli Porini Camp
* Tortilis Camp Amboseli

Aberdare Lodges

* Access to Aberdare Park
* Aberdare Wildlife Kenya
* Camping-Aberdare
* Aberdare Country Club
* Tree Tops Lodge Aberdare
* The Ark Safari Lodge
* Tusk Camp Aberdare
* Aberdare Fishing Lodge

Nairobi Kenya, Nairobi Travel Guide

Nairobi is a unique city, which is up to date.
Only 20 minutes from the working hard city centre, the tourist can get him or herself in close proximity with lions, rhino, buffalo and groups of zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and many others.

This should not be mistaken for an urban zoo, rather it is the mighty wilderness of Nairobi National Park, where game lives wild and free within sight of the city.

Different from any other city on the globe, Nairobi has not ceased her commitment to preserving the wilderness, which is around it. This has enabled creation of an environment with a difference, where the sight of a scarce Black Rhino traversing the plains before the city skyline is common.

Here, the tourist having some free hours in the city take a journey into the mighty Kenyan wilderness. Look at lions on the hunt, have a rest near a river filled with hippos and crocodiles, take in a spectacular sunset, and get back for dinner in one of the cities best restaurants. All this is not impossible in Nairobi.

Take an urban wildlife safari into Nairobi, where you will tour the world’s most wild city boundaries

Kenya Tourism Guide

The tourist industry as become a keystone of Kenya’s economy, acquiring the role of first national industry, which makes bigger profits compared to coffee export and is the major source of foreign exchange. Its contribution to GDP of 12% renders it the third most important productive industry. Kenya gets one million tourists every year, with a hotel able to accommodate over 9 million beds. The fact that tourism in Kenya is mainly based on wildlife, authorities set to launch projects purposely for the preservation of wildlife against its natural enemies, for example, poaching and illegal traffic of animal groups. For many past years, the growth of tourism sector in the rest of African countries so much scares the health of Kenya’s tourist industry. The Kenyan government tries to return this course by strongly investing in hotel infrastructure and communications.

The tourist industry is extremely sensitive to political and social lack of stability. For many years, tourism gave up on Kenya because of ethnic riots, the bombing of the US Embassy in 1998 and the upswing of crime in the cities and tourist places. In 1999, the industry recovered the rising trend and good repercussions are forecasted for the year 2000.

Kenya Population And Culture

POPULATION AND CULTURE: POPULATION:
The long history of Kenya is currently reflected in its cultural variety. Several tribes, habitats, languages, religions and many others are included in the cultural diversity.

The population of Kenya collects tribes, cultures, religions and also languages. Looking at what is currently known, Kenya’s human map was started 6,000 years back, when the indigenous dwellers of this land were first encroached upon by the northern Nilotic and Cushite populations. Then followed the Bantu people, after which the Arabs, Asians, Europeans and so many others came. The skin colours of Kenyans include all the range of clears and darks.

The approximately 30 million Kenyans are spread unevenly all over the country, knowing that the north and northeast regions are arid and less favourable for human dwelling. In these places, population density rarely comes to 2 settlers per sq. km, while in the rich and fertile western region, population density goes up to 120 settlers per sq. km. In the Rift valley, density changes according to regions, with a mean approximately13 settlers per sq. km.

The majority of the Kenyans settle in the Highlands where the climate is neither very hot not very cold. Urban population is approximately 25% of the total and is settled in a few big cities, mostly in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. The rural population is kept within the fertile lands and depends on agriculture. Only 4 million people are employed, this involves small farmers and nomad shepherds. Women account for 30% of the total population that is employed.

The majority of Kenya’s population is black. The various tribes are classified basing on their linguistic origin.
Approximately 65% of the entire population is under the Bantu tribes, settling in the Central Highlands, the southeast and coastal areas. The Nilotic who constitute 30% inhabit the southwest and the central Rift Valley area, while the Cushites who constitute 3% dwell in the northern regions. The population spectrum also includes some minorities, for example Hindus, Arabs and Europeans. This variety is the cause for the majority of Kenyans speaking different languages. The indigenous languages continue to exist, but Swahili is the common language for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The official language is English and Kenyans learn it at school.

Having a variety is both a source of wealth and also of misunderstandings. Despite the government’s endeavours to instil in Kenyans the option of one united people having a common fate, the fact is that in Kenya, just like in many other African states, the feeling of nation applies to the own tribe. A big number of Kenyans mostly those who do not have the opportunity to get education, do not jet understand the idea of state. The Maasai land was divided by the contrary limit between Kenya and Tanzania, less over one hundred years back. Time compassionate reluctance tears apart the fates of the Maasai at their side of the limit, however, the collective memory continues to keep the idea of one people. Therefore, the Maasai find it hard to assume the reason why the route to their cousin’s region is cut by an imaginary line that is hard to traverse. Even today, entering a tribe into another tribe’s province is got with no trust at the very least, and often times with cruelty.

The following is an abstract of the general data about Kenya’s population. Apart from any specification, figures correspond to 1999.

The population tantamounts to 28,808,658 people.

Population structure by ages:
0-14 years constitute 43% (6,244,321 male, 6,104, 181 female).
15-64 years constitute 54% (7,845,083 male, 7,826,442 female).
More than 64 years constitute 3% (343,449 male, 445,182 female).

The rate at which population grows is 1.59%.
Birth rate is 30.8% births per 1000 settlers.
Mortality rate is 14.58 deaths per 1000 settlers.
Movement rate is -0.34 foreigners per 1000 settlers.

Population structure by gender:
At birth: 1.03 male/female
Not more than 15v years: 1.02 male/female
Between 15 and 16 years: 1 male female
More than 64 years: 0.77 male/female

Total population: 1male/female

Child mortality rate: 59-07 deaths per 1000 living births

Life expectancy at birth:
Total population: 47:02 years
Males: 46-56 years
Females: 47-49 years.

Birth 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%

The languages used include: English (official), Swahili (national) and many local languages.

Literacy: (able to read and write, over 14 years, 1995 data).
Total population : 78.1%
Males : 86.3%
Females : 70%

Kenya Economy

Kenya’s economy has been traditionally depending on agriculture. Albeit during the past decades the rehabilitation of industry and tourism has made agriculture’s dominance to decline, farming activity continue to account for the biggest part of the country’s economy.

Basics:
Since 1998, the government has brought up a liberalisation and economic reform plan involving the reduction of import hindrances, the stopping of control of foreign exchange and the decease of the public sector by selling away state industries and rationalising public services. With the help of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other donors, reforms have resulted into the rehabilitation of the economy, which has somehow relieved the negative repercussions in the early 1990’s. GDP rose up to 5% in 1995 and 4% in 1996, with a moderate rise in prices of services and goods in the country, which led to a moderate loss of money value. The inflation rate changes frequently through the years, for example, 19.6% in 1991,27.5% in 1992, 46% in 1993, 28% in 1994, 1.6% in 199, 9% in 1996, 11.2% in 1997 and 6.6% in 1998.

The economic growth declined in 1997 and 1998, mostly because of the uncertainty in agriculture and tourism. Agriculture was influenced by the torrential El Nino rains in 1997 and 1998, which damaged some of the crops and also damaged infrastructures.
On the other hand, tourists were sent away by terrorist violence (bombing of th US Embassy in 1998), ethnic riots and the upswing of crime.
Because of the failure of the government to put into practice the reform conditions and eradicating corruption in the public sector, the International Monetary fund allowed for
a lapse in the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program.

Currently, major problems of the Kenyan economy constitute the negative commercial balance (external debt in 1997 was $ 6,450 million), inadequate power, the prolonged and inefficient government’s control on the major sectors, including endemic corruption, increased population rates (reduced from 4% to 1.5% in 1999) and unemployment influencing half of the employed population in 1998.

In 1992, 42% of the population was below poverty line. The external economic help got by Kenya in 1995 was 642.8 million dollars.

Agriculture and livestock:
Agriculture has been decreasing its contribution to GDP over the past decades, because of the development of other sectors. Thus, its weight in GDP reduced from 38.4% to 30% in 1990 then to 29% in 1997. Its main aim in Kenyan economy is still supported by the fact that 75-80% of the active population is employed in agriculture. This activity accounts for half of income due to exports.
And all this despite the fact that three fifths of the country’s land are not productive.

Agriculture in Kenya can be grouped in two types, including industrial or colonial and indigenous or subsistence farming. The first one shows the heritage of the big colonial plantations, committed to the culture of coffee, tea, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, wheat, peanuts, sisal and sesame. Coffee with 53.400 tons and tea with 294,200 tons in 1998, were the main crops produced for export.

Subsistence farming, done by local owners in small plots, has been traditionally based on crops like corn, which is a main local food, manioc, beans m sorghum and fruit. However, the co-operative movement has developed over the past years, and also the adoption of new crops monopolised in the past by large plantations and the increased production because of the technical advancement. This showed that, at the end of the 1990, two thirds of the coffee crops, and half of the tea crops and the entire production of sugarcane came from the small local farmers.

Irregular climatology greatly influences the crops. The El Nino rains in 1998 seriously affected infrastructures and some crops, whereas the subsequent La Nina droughts damaged the sector as a whole.

Raising cattle in Kenya is done basing on bivine and wine. Similar to agriculture, the large colonial estates and the small local owners share the livestock. The nomad tribes carry on subsistence cattle keeping, and this explains why cattle are their most honoured goods. The largest productions of meat, milk, and dairy products together with leather and wool, match to the big European estates. A portion of this produce is given fpr export.

Industry and energy:
Since the country attained independence in 1963, the government has acquired policies for import substitution, export enhancement and promotion of foreign investment. Manufacturing has had a slow growing rate to account for a percentage of GDP over 15% (17% in 1997) and to give jobs to 10% of the people. The main industrial plants are found near the big towns, mostly Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

The major industries include food (crop processing and canning), beverages, tobacco, chemicals, petroleum derivatives, metals, textiles, leather, rubber, construction materials (cement, clay, glass), motorcar assembling and pharmaceutical production. Some other consumer goods are also made, for example, plastics, furniture, batteries and crop.

For many years back, the government has ensured the growth of Jua kali, a manufacturing sub sector or crafting small-scale products, which came a result of the high unemployment rates. These small workshops make a wide variety of products, for example machines and tools, steel frames for doors and windows, crates, coal stoves and furniture.

In Kenya, energy resources are rare, explaining why most of the energy must be got from other countries, mostly from Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. In 1997, the levels of imported energy fell from 75% to 56.6%. Energy is mainly got (1996), from hydroelectric plants (81.63%), coal and petroleum (10.5%). The major hydroelectric plants are found in River Tana (Kindaruma dam, 1968), and in Turkwei river gorge, in Lake Turkana, within the limit of the Seven Fork Hydro project.
However, hydroelectric power is still rare and inadequate, becoming a barrier to industrial production.

The fluoride beds north of Nairobi, extraction of soda and salt from natural deposits at lake Magadi, gold mines at Kakamega, and lead and silver mines at Kinangoni, all represent mining. There is a processing plant for mineral in Kilifi. A big portion of the 100,000 tons of soda mined each year is made fro export. However, considering the whole, the contribution of mining to Kenya’s GDP is so little.

Infrastructures, transport and communication:
Out of the total 63,800km (1996), only 8,868km of roads are covered. The railroad network constitutes 2,652km. The most valued port is Mombasa, having a petroleum refining plant, next to Mombasa are Lamu and Kisumu, which is in lake Victoria. The domestic telephone network is based on microwave radio relay. There are 232 taking off and landing grounds for aircrafts and also the runways. Of these, 21 have got covered runways (1998). The multiplication of airstrips in parks and reserves has been a positive factor for the growth of tourism.

Exports:
Traditionally, the exports of Kenya were restricted to a small range of products, mostly coffee, tea, sisal and pyrethrum. This circumstance exposed the country to the swings of
a small group of markets. For many years, the endeavours of the government have culminated into the development of non-traditional exports, for example, consumer goods, fruits and vegetables.

However, tea having 18% and coffee having 15% (1998), continue to be the main export products. All the exports account for 2,000 million dollars (1998), and they are mostly taken to Uganda (16.1%), Tanzania (12.8%), United Kingdom 910.4%) and Germany (7.5%) (1996).

Imports:
Ever since Kenya attained independence, imports of consumer goods have been replaced by products produced domestically, because of the rehabilitating industry. These imports have therefore fallen from 27% of total imports in 1963 to 13% in 1995.

Inspite of this, Kenya’s commercial balance is not positive, with imports valuing 3,050 million US dollars (1998). This amount matches mostly to machinery, equipment and transport goods (31%), consumer goods (13%) and petroleum products (12%) (1995). Most of the imports are exported by United Kingdom (13.2%), the United Arab Emirates (8.2%), South Africa (7.6) and Germany (7.4%) (1996).

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