🇰🇪Kenya Political Stability: 25/100

Kenya is located in East Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the southeast. The country features diverse terrain, including low plains, central highlands, and the Great Rift Valley, with Mount Kenya being the highest peak at 5,199 meters. The climate varies from tropical along the coast to arid in the north, with distinct rainy seasons occurring from March to June and October to December.

As of 2019, Kenya has a population of approximately 47.6 million, with a youthful demographic where 73% are under 30 years old. The population is diverse, with major ethnic groups including Bantus (60%) and Nilotes (30%), and the official languages are English and Swahili. The predominant religion is Christianity, followed by Islam, with a small percentage practicing indigenous beliefs.

World Bank governance: rule of law 29th percentile, corruption control 17th percentile, political stability 11th percentile.

Kenya's strongest governance dimension is Voice & Accountability at 38/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This indicates relatively strong citizen participation in selecting government, along with freedom of expression, association, and a free media.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 11/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A notable 27-point gap between Voice & Accountability and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Weak governance indicators for Kenya mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Kenya as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.