Kenya: a Developing Country
Kenya: A Developing Country
With the discovery of certain human fossils, some being over 3 million years old, many paleontologists believe that Kenya was the “cradle of humanity.” Currently, Kenya’s population is comprised of over 97 percent of people of African descent with nearly 40 ethnic groups. Lying on the equator between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda, Kenya is located on the eastern coast of Africa. Kenya is one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa, attracting people from all over. Its rich culture and beautiful environments make it one of the most favored places to visit in the world. In the first section of this paper I will discuss the historical background of Kenya, including its early economical success in trade to its colonization in the 1500s. I will then lead into the young country’s independence from Great Britain and discuss what this meant for Kenya’s political foundations. Currently, there are two main political parties in Kenya. I will discuss how they have transformed over time along with the current post-election crisis and its effect on the economy. Finally, I will explain the institutions of Kenyan politics and how certain party members are elected. Although, Kenya has been home to many African tribes for thousands of years, Arab traders didn’t begin settling in Kenya until the 1st century A.D. Items traded between the Arab world and India included ivory and slaves. Bantu peoples moved into the region and by the 10th century Kenya had its own language, Swahili. Trading proved to be profitable, and Arab traders prospered. These traditions continued throughout the 1st millennium and into the 2nd. Colonization began in the 1500s when Vasco de Gama of Portugal arrived in 1498. They demanded high tariffs from enemy trade ships that traveled the through the Indian Ocean and controlled a large percent of the trade up until the arrival of the Omani Arabs in the 1600s. Although the Omani dynasties of Arabia could not control the
With the discovery of certain human fossils, some being over 3 million years old, many paleontologists believe that Kenya was the “cradle of humanity.” Currently, Kenya’s population is comprised of over 97 percent of people of African descent with nearly 40 ethnic groups. Lying on the equator between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Uganda, Kenya is located on the eastern coast of Africa. Kenya is one of the most famous safari destinations in Africa, attracting people from all over. Its rich culture and beautiful environments make it one of the most favored places to visit in the world. In the first section of this paper I will discuss the historical background of Kenya, including its early economical success in trade to its colonization in the 1500s. I will then lead into the young country’s independence from Great Britain and discuss what this meant for Kenya’s political foundations. Currently, there are two main political parties in Kenya. I will discuss how they have transformed over time along with the current post-election crisis and its effect on the economy. Finally, I will explain the institutions of Kenyan politics and how certain party members are elected. Although, Kenya has been home to many African tribes for thousands of years, Arab traders didn’t begin settling in Kenya until the 1st century A.D. Items traded between the Arab world and India included ivory and slaves. Bantu peoples moved into the region and by the 10th century Kenya had its own language, Swahili. Trading proved to be profitable, and Arab traders prospered. These traditions continued throughout the 1st millennium and into the 2nd. Colonization began in the 1500s when Vasco de Gama of Portugal arrived in 1498. They demanded high tariffs from enemy trade ships that traveled the through the Indian Ocean and controlled a large percent of the trade up until the arrival of the Omani Arabs in the 1600s. Although the Omani dynasties of Arabia could not control the
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