Kenya: flag, capital, currency and history
Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa, Africa. Its capital is Nairobi. The currency is the Kenyan shilling. Languages spoken include English and Swahili.
Quick facts about Kenya
- Official name
- Republic of Kenya
- Capital
- Nairobi
- Region
- Africa, Eastern Africa
- Currency
- Kenyan shilling (KES, Sh)
- Languages
- English, Swahili
- Calling code
- +254
- Internet domain
- .ke
- Area
- 580,367 km² (224,081 sq mi)
- Land borders
- Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda
- Demonym
- Kenyan
- National day
- Independence Day, December 12
Flag of Kenya
Download the flag of Kenya as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇰🇪.
History of Kenya
Eastern Africa, including present-day Kenya, has some of the earliest known evidence of human ancestors. Over time, Cushitic, Nilotic and Bantu-speaking peoples settled the region, and Swahili city-states on the coast traded across the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese reached the coast around 1500, and Omani influence followed. Britain established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, and it became the Colony of Kenya in 1920. The Mau Mau uprising in the 1950s preceded independence in 1963, and Kenya became a republic in 1964. Kenya is today a presidential republic with Nairobi as its capital.
Key dates
- c. 1500Portuguese ships reach the Swahili coast of East Africa.
- 1895Britain declares the East Africa Protectorate.
- 1920The area becomes the Colony of Kenya.
- 1952A state of emergency is declared during the Mau Mau uprising.
- 1963Kenya gains independence on 12 December.
- 1964Kenya becomes a republic, with Jomo Kenyatta as president.
- 2010A new constitution is approved in a referendum.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Kenya
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES, Sh). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Festivals and greetings in Kenya
Celebrations observed in Kenya, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Kenya?
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi.
What currency does Kenya use?
Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling (KES, symbol Sh).
What languages are spoken in Kenya?
Languages used in Kenya include English and Swahili.
What is the calling code of Kenya?
The international calling code of Kenya is +254. Its internet domain is .ke.
Which countries border Kenya?
Kenya shares land borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
On which continent is Kenya?
Kenya is in Africa, in the region of Eastern Africa.
What is the national day of Kenya?
Kenya marks Independence Day on December 12.
Neighbours of Kenya
More countries in Eastern Africa
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).