Social Issues In Kenya Essay

Located near the center of a continent ridden with governmental unrest and economic struggles, the nation-state of Kenya attempts to stabilize to become an emerging democracy. Kenya has only been an established nation for the past half-century, but it has seen its fair share of ethnic strife, environmental issues, and a governing regime that almost did not capitulate. In this short time period, it has also had two constitutions and has been governed by multiple parties. But things may be beginning to look brighter for this average size African state, as free elections are occurring and social organizations begin to make crossroads into solving the environmental and societal issues of the area. Kenya may become one of the more stable democracies
It is located on the equator in the eastern part of Africa. Kenya is bordered by Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, and the Indian Ocean. The country is divided into seven main geographical regions. The closest to the ocean is characterized by relatively flat land, ocean line, and even a barrier reef. The regions next to it are similar in terrain and have very few mountains or hills. Further into the country, the terrain of Kenya is dominated by the Great Rift Valley. The elevation begins to rise as the terrain begins to get denser. The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya, beginning near Kenya’s largest lake, Lake Rudolf. Also located in Kenya is Mt. Kenya, which is the second largest mountain in
The Kenya African National Union or KANU dominated Kenyan Politics during most of the state’s early years. After absorbing the only other political party very early on, the KANU managed to suppress all other political parties for years, making Kenya a one-party dominated country. It remained this way until the nighties, when other parties were allowed to rise up. Most of these early opposition parties, such as the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy party, were too fragmented to gain traction. By the early 21st century, a new party, the National Rainbow Coalition, had gained both the executive spot and a majority in