Facts About Kenya

Jambo! That’s how you say “hello” in Swahili, one of the official languages in Kenya. This beautiful country in Africa is known for its wildlife, including lions, leopards and elephants (oh my!). Learn more facts about Kenya below. 

Two people run across an open field with trees and grass underneath a bright sunset.

5 Facts About Kenya

Here are some interesting facts about Kenya:

Map of Kenya

Where Is Kenya?

Kenya is a country in East Africa that shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan and the Indian Ocean. 

Key Challenges in Kenya & Our Response

Kenya is a land of adventure, a perfect place to visit if you dream of going on safari. However, Kenya is also home to thousands of children living in devastating poverty. 

Lack of Nutrition & Medical Care Leaves Babies at Risk 

The newest data shows that the mortality rate for infants in Kenya is 30.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. While this number has been consistently decreasing over time, this is still incredibly high. When compared to the U.S. mortality rate, which is 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, you can see how devastatingly high the rate truly is. 

In Kenya, many of the causes of death in these little ones can be traced back to poverty. For example, many babies die from preventable diseases like pneumonia because their families couldn’t afford treatment. Others suffer serious malnutrition from hunger. 

Our Response: Offering Care to Moms & Babies 

We partner with churches throughout Kenya to offer care to moms and babies in need through our Survival programs. Through these programs, we offer important support like prenatal vitamins, nutritious food, medical checkups and parenting classes. 

We provide hands-on care to moms and babies throughout the first year of the child’s life. Once they reach this important milestone, they then get to be sponsored by someone like you! 

Natural Disasters Leave Children Dangerously Hungry 

Kenya often faces devastating natural disasters like droughts. These serious droughts leave children and families without food, clean water and other essentials. This puts children at risk of malnutrition, which damages their physical and mental growth. 

Unfortunately, families struggling in poverty can’t afford day-to-day basics, much less emergency supplies. 

Our Response: Providing Disaster Relief to Children in Need 

Through our Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), we provide children and families with emergency food and water, temporary shelters, counseling, medical care and more to ease the impact of disaster. This support keeps families on track toward leaving poverty behind, despite their current circumstances. 

Our Impact in Kenya

Compassion has served children and families living in poverty throughout Kenya for over four decades. In this time, we’ve helped release thousands of children from poverty in Jesus’ name through child sponsorship. 

138,495

children served (and counting).

503

churches serving.

46

years serving.
A woman wearing a striped dress and a brightly colored necklace stands with her arms crossed while smiling for the camera.

Inspiring Kenyan Rescues Pregnant Girls in Crisis

Maureen grew up in poverty. But at her Compassion center, she experienced hope that she knew she had to share with others. Now, Maureen runs a nonprofit that rescues pregnant girls living in poverty, giving them hope for a brighter future. 

A young man sits in front of a clay home while smiling for the camera.

Maisha Builds a Strong Future With a Strong Mind

Maisha’s family couldn’t afford a safe home, let alone an education for him. But through his local Compassion center, Maisha received an education and is now a professional mason, building homes for those in his community.

How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in Kenya

You can help Compassion fight back against child poverty in Kenya in three key ways:

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, God hears us, and we can trust he’s working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.

Donate

Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need.