Kenya

In 2009, Kenya was recovering from the shocks of drought and the global economic crisis of 2008. The first rainy season from April to July failed, and the resulting food scarcity was exacerbated by low foreign exchange value. The continuation from 2008 of numerous political, economic and environmental challenges made it a difficult year, with delays in the enactment of a new constitution prompting both international and domestic tensions.

Children in a primary school supported by Concern in Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya

Concern has been working in Kenya since 2002, and is currently focusing on education, health, livelihoods, and HIV and AIDS.

• EDUCATION—Securing access to education for 108,620 vulnerable children
• HEALTH—Providing nutrition to 93,864 young children, infants and mothers 
• LIVELIHOODS—Empowering 20,742 people to become self-reliant
• HIV and AIDS—Providing quality treatment and care to 123,657 people in poor communities
• EMERGENCY—Responding to the immediate needs of 191,494 people affected by the food crisis

Kenya at a Glance 

Area: 583,000 sq km
Population: 37.8 m
GDP per capita: US $1,542
Infant mortality (per thousand births): 54
Life expectancy: 53.6
Living with HIV and AIDS: 1,200,000
Literacy rate: 73.6%
Access to safe water: 57%
Human development rank: 147 (out of 182)
Global hunger rank/index*: 56 / 20.2