Kenya is located astride the Equator on the East Coast of Africa. It covers an area of 583,000 sq km (225,000 sq miles), about the size of France and is strategically located within easy reach of export markets in the African region, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. In addition, it has a common border with Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Tanzania. Indian ocean is at the South East Coast.

The country hosts two fully-fledged headquarters for two UN bodies (UNEP and UN-Habitat) and is endowed with a rich heritage of natural resources, which allows a wide range of economic activities. Kenya has a population of about 35 million people (2008 Estimate). Three million people live in the capital city, Nairobi; other main towns are Mombasa - a port on the Indian Ocean; Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria, west of the country; Nakuru and Eldoret in the Rift Valley.

English is the official language, while Swahili is the national one. Currency is the Kenya Shilling (Ksh) with denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 shilling and 10, 5, one shilling and 50 cents Coins. The rate of exchange is about KSh 79 to one US $ 0r Ksh 11 to one Yuan (RMB), June 2009exchange rates. Kenya enjoys a varied climate, ranging from tropical to cool temperate. It has two wet seasons: March-May (long rains) and October-December (short rains). The main exports are tea, coffee and horticulture.

In addition to the wide range of wildlife reserves, spectacular scenery, unlimited opportunities for recreation and sports, luxury hotels, game lodges, resorts and comfortable housing are available in secure verdant suburbs. The Great Rift Valley, which bisects the country from North to South and is dotted with lakes and extinct volcanoes, is one of Kenya’s fascinating physical features.

Since independence in 1963, Kenya has enjoyed uninterrupted political stability. This, together with the modern infrastructure that facilitates connectivity to the region, has made Kenya the natural base for the administration of relief assistance to troubled neighboring countries where she has actively participated in several peace processes and missions.

The pragmatic economic approach that the Government has followed, coupled with democratic maturity and political stability, have encouraged foreign and local investment leading to remarkable development in various sectors.