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LOCATION
Kenya is located on the East Coast of Africa, with the Equator running almost straight through the middle of the country. Its northern boarder touches 5o of latitude north and southern border touches 4o south. The Western boarder is marked by 34o east longitude. Kenya is a sovereign state having achieved political independence from British rule on 12th December 1963.Kenya is a member of the organization of African unity, the Commonwealth of National and the United Nations. The country shares common boarders with Somalia, (east) Ethiopia (north) Sudan (North east) Uganda (West) and Tanzania (South). To the South east lies the Indian Ocean, making the Country maritime gateway to east Africa. More information about Kenya; geography, climate, the people , health, visas, dressing custom, law and respect for authority, currency etc are available within Naftaly Arayason Library.
KENYA FACT FILE
Kenya - Country in East Africa
President - Mwai Kibaki
Area - 582,646 square km
Population - 28.5 million in 1999
Official Language - English
National Language - Kiswahili
No of Provinces - Eight
No of Districts - Fifty two
Capital - Nairobi
Principal towns - Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika
Time Zone - Three hours ahead of GMT
Business Hours - Monday - Friday
08:00 to 13:00 Hours and
14:00 to 17:00 hours
Banking Hours - Monday - Friday
09:00 - 15:00
Saturday - 09.00 to 11:00 Hours
Per Capital income - 283:00 -1996
Currency: - Kenya Shilling (Ksh)
Exchange Rate - US $ 1 = 60.00 (June 2008)
Weight and measures: - Metric system
Electricity - 220 -240 volts
Public Holidays - 1st January - New Year
Good Friday & Easter Monday
1st May - Labor Day
1st June - Madaraka Day
10th October - Moi Day
20th October - Kenyatta Day
12th December - Jamhuri day
25th December - Christmas Day
26th December - Boxing Day
Idd-ul-Fitr - End of Ramadhan
Making an International Telephone call to Kenya
After dialing the international access code, the following steps must be followed.
" Dial Kenya Country code which is 254
" Then dial area code i.e. the particular area in Kenya for example Nairobi is 20
" Lastly dial the required telephone number
Telephone numbers in Kenya vary from 4 digits to 6 digits for example, to call Naftaly Arayason telephone number 2090907 in Nairobi dial your International access code, followed by 254 (the Kenya code) then 20 { Nairobi area code)} and finally 2090907 the Arayson phone number. GENERAL SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP) The GSP systematically be replaced by the multilateral trade agreements "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) arrangement which will phase our preference on selected commodities to replace it with tariff reductions and opening up for all commodities. AGRICULTURE is the mainstream of Kenya economy. It is the leading sector in the economy. Accounting or about 30% of gross domestic product. The main agriculture export products are TEA, COFFEE, HORTICULTURE, PYRETHRUM, SISAL,HIDES & SKINS, and MEAT PRODUCTS. HORTICULTURE is the fastest growing sub sector of Kenya's agriculture. Currently the total horticulture production is close to 3 million tones of produce, sold in both local & export market. The main horticulture products are; Cut flowers, Cut foliage, e.g. roses, carnations, stat ice, tuberose, etc" Tropical fruits namely; Mango, Pineapple, Passion fruits, avocado, banana, strawberry etc" Vegetables; such as French beans, squash, etc Cauliflower, Baby com etc. COMMERCIAL ARTS & CRAFTS Commercial arts and crafts constitute an important product sector of Kenya's small and medium scale enterprises. Arts and crafts are Important as a reservoir of Kenya's rich cultural heritage as well as generating foreign exchange earnings through exports. In addition, commercial crafts create gainful self-employment to skilled artisans who would otherwise have no source of income. In the early sixties and seventies, Kenya's crafts recorded growth due to the high demand for this product at the international markets of the United States of America, Germany, Britain, France and Italy. At that time Kenya's Sales of handicrafts were relatively unknown and international markets provided sales opportunities to the manufacturers and exporters of wood carvings sisal baskets (ciodos), soapstone's and hand made jewelry. It is important to note that handicrafts were perceived as a complementary activity which provided additional income to a predominantly agricultural society. Arts and crafts have since evolved from a part-time activity into a highly commercial venture employing approximately a million skilled artisans through out the country. Commercial arts and crafts have gained prominence as viable non- traditional exports; products that have gained in this sector are made from soapstone, wood, banana fiber textiles and hand made ethnic jewelry, paper and paper products and ceramics. More information is available from US on request, such information on tourism, Infrastructure (Air, Port, Roads, Post & Telecommunications, Power Supply) etc
KENYA MAJOR EXPORTS
Tourism
Tea
Coffee
Horticulture
Petroleum Products
Cement
Pyrethrum extract
Soda Ash
Sisal
Fluorspar
Wattle extract
Handcrafts
Hides & Skins
Metal Scrap
Meat & Meat Products
Animal Feeds
Manufactured Goods
Product finding services available.
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