Kenya and Where I Stood: Difference between pages

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Revision as of 22:11, 28 June 2007

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{{Infobox Single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->

'''Kenya''' (pronounced as KEN-ya) is a country of [[East Africa]], bordering [[Ethiopia]] (north), [[Somalia]] (north-east), [[Tanzania]] (south), [[Uganda]] (west), [[Sudan]] (north-west) and the [[Indian Ocean]]. [[Nairobi]] is its capital and largest city.

| Name = Where I Stood EP

{{Infobox Country |

native_name | Artist = Republic[[Missy of Kenya |Higgins]]

common_name| from Album = [[On a Clear = Kenya |Night]]

image_flag | Released = Kenya25th flagJune large.png |2007

| Format = [[CD single]]<br>[[Digital download]]

image_coat = kenyaarms22.PNG |

| Recorded = [[Los Angeles, California]], [[2006 in music|2006]]

national_motto = Harambee ([[Swahili]]: Let's work together) |

image_map | Genre = LocationKenya.png[[Piano |pop]]

| Length = 4:17

national_anthem = [[Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu]] (Oh God of All Creation) |

| Label = [[Eleven: A Music Company|Eleven]]

official_languages = [[English language|English]], [[Swahili language|Swahili]] |

capital | Writer = [[NairobiMissy Higgins]] |

| Producer = [[Mitchell Froom]]

latd=1|latm=16|latNS=S|longd=36|longm=48|longEW=E|

| Certification =

government_type = [[Republic]] |

| Chart position =

leader_titles = [[President of Kenya|President]] |

| Last single = "[[Steer (song)|Steer]]"<br>([[2007]])

leader_names = [[Mwai Kibaki]] |

| This single = "[[Where I Stood]]"<br>([[2007]])

largest_city = [[Nairobi]] |

| Next single =

area = 582,650 |

| Misc

area_rank = 46th |

area_magnitude| Type = studio = 1 E11 |=

percent_water = 2.3% |

population_estimate = 32,021,856 |

population_estimate_year = 2004 |

population_estimate_rank = 37th |

population_census = 31,138,735 |

population_census_year = 2002 |

population_density = 53.4 |

population_density_rank = 142 |

GDP_PPP_year = 2003 |

GDP_PPP = 33,028 |

GDP_PPP_rank = 81 |

GDP_PPP_per_capita = 1,035 |

GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 151 |

sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |

established_events = &nbsp;-Date |

established_dates = From the [[United Kingdom]] <br> [[December 12]], [[1963]] |

currency = [[Kenyan Shilling]] |

currency_code = KES |

time_zone = [[Moscow Time|MSK]] |

utc_offset = +3 |

time_zone_DST = not observed |

utc_offset_DST = +3 |

cctld = [[.ke]] |

calling_code = 254 ''('''005''' from [[Tanzania]] and [[Uganda]])'' |

footnotes =

}}

==History==

''Main article: [[History of Kenya]]''

Fossils found in East Africa suggest that protohumans roamed the area more than 20 million years ago. Recent finds near Kenya's [[Lake Turkana]] indicate that hominids like [[Homo habilis]] and [[Homo erectus]] lived in Kenya from 2.6 million years ago.

The colonial history of Kenya dates from the establishment of a [[Germany|German]] protectorate over the Sultan of [[Zanzibar]]'s coastal possessions in [[1885]], followed by the arrival of the [[Imperial British East Africa Company]] in [[1888]]. Incipient imperial rivalry was forestalled when Germany handed its coastal holdings to [[Britain]] in 1890.

During the early part of the [[20th century]] the interior central highlands were settled by British and other European farmers, who became wealthy farming [[coffee]]. By the 1930s approximately 30,000 [[settler]]s lived in the area and were offered undue political powers due to their effects on the economy. The area was already home to over a million members of the [[Kikuyu]] tribe, most of whom had no land claims and lived as itinerant [[farmer]]s. To protect their interests, the settlers banned the growing of coffee, introduced a Hut [[tax]], and the landless were granted less and less land in exchange for their labour. A massive exodus to the cities ensued as their ability to provide a living from the land dwindled.

From [[October 1952]] to [[December 1959]], Kenya was under a state of emergency arising from the [[Mau Mau]] rebellion against British rule. The governor requested and obtained British and African troops, including the [[King's African Rifles]]. In [[January 1953]], [[Major General Hinde]] was appointed as director of counter-insurgency operations. The situation did not improve due to lack of intelligence, so [[General Sir George Erskine]] was appointed commander-in-chief of the colony's armed forces in [[May 1953]], with the personal backing of [[Winston Churchill]]. The capture of Waruhiu Itote ([[General China]]) on [[15 January]] [[1954]] and the subsequent interrogation led to a better understanding of the Mau Mau command structure. [[Operation Anvil]] opened on [[24 April]] [[1954]] after weeks of planning by the army with the approval of the War Council. The operation effectively placed [[Nairobi]] under military siege and the occupants were screened and the Mau Mau supporters moved to [[detention camp]]s. [[May 1953]] also saw the [[Home Guard]] officially recognized as a branch of the Security Forces. The Home Guard formed the core of the Government's anti-Mau Mau strategy as it was composed of loyalist Africans, not foreign forces like the [[British Army]] and [[King's African Rifles]]. By the end of the Emergency the [[Home Guard]] had killed no less than 4,686 Mau Mau, which amounted to 42% of the total insurgents. The capture of [[Dedan Kimathi]] on [[21 October]] [[1956]] in [[Nyeri]] signified the ultimate defeat of the [[Mau Mau]] and essentially ended the military offensive.

The first direct elections for Africans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. Despite British hopes of handing power to "moderate" African rivals, it was the [[Kenya African National Union]] (KANU) of [[Jomo Kenyatta]], which formed a government shortly before Kenya became independent on [[December 12]] [[1963]]. A year later, Kenyatta became Kenya's first president.

At Kenyatta's death in [[1978]], [[Daniel arap Moi]] became President, and in democratic, but flawed, multiparty elections in 1992 and 1997 won re-election. In [[2002]], Moi was constitutionally barred from running and [[Mwai Kibaki]], running for the opposition coalition "National Rainbow Coalition" - [[NARC]], was elected President.

==Political Structure==

''Main article: [[Politics of Kenya]]''

Since independence, [[Kenya]] has maintained remarkable stability despite changes in its political system and crises in neighboring countries. Particularly since the re-emergence of multiparty democracy, Kenyans have enjoyed an increased degree of freedom.

A parliamentary reform initiative in [[1997]] revised some oppressive laws that had been used to limit freedom of speech and assembly. This improved public freedoms and contributed to generally multiparty national elections in December 1997 which was marred by violence and saw the incumbent President [[Daniel arap Moi]] win by 30% of the votes.

In December [[2002]], Kenya held [[democratic]] and open [[elections]] and elected [[Mwai Kibaki]] as their new president under the [[NARC]] coalition. The elections, which were judged free and fair by local and international observers, marked an important turning point in Kenya's democratic evolution. President Kibaki has focused his efforts on generating economic growth, combating corruption, and improving education. Kenya is also in the process of rewriting its post-colonial [[independence constitution|constitution]] and its subsequent amendments that gave the president nearly unlimited powers and immunity from the law accounting for many of Kenya's current problems.

Following disagreements between the partners in the current government coalition, constitutional reform has proceeded slower than anticipated. The right leaning National Alliance Party of Kenya (NAK) faction (allied to president Kibaki) favours a centralized Presidential system, while the left leaning [[Liberal Democratic Party (Kenya)|LDP]] faction - led by [[Raila Odinga]] - a parliamentary system with Prime Minister.

Internal wrangling within the governing coalition has also negatively affected other crucial areas of governance, such as the fight against corruption and a planned large-scale privatization of government-owned enterprises.

==Administrative Structure==

[[image:Kenya_sm02.png|thumb|Map of Kenya]]

''Main article: [[Provinces of Kenya]]''

Kenya is divided into 7 [[Province]]s (''Mkoa'') and 1 Area*:

*[[Central Province, Kenya|Central]]

*[[Coast Province, Kenya|Coast]]

*[[Eastern Province, Kenya|Eastern]]

*[[Nairobi Area]]*

*[[North Eastern Province, Kenya|North Eastern]]

*[[Nyanza]]

*[[Rift Valley Province, Kenya|Rift Valley]]

*[[Western Province, Kenya|Western]]

The Provinces are subdivided into [[Districts]](''Wilaya'') which are then subdivided into [[Division (subnational entity)|Division]]s (''Tarafa''). The Divison is then subdivided into [[Location]] (''Mtaa'') and then [[Sub Location]] (''Kijiji''). A Province is administered by a Provincial Commissioner (PC).

==Geography==

''Main article: [[Geography of Kenya]]''

==Economy==

''Main article: [[Economy of Kenya]]''

Kenya's main economic strengths include tourism and agriculture. The economy is only now beginning to show some growth after years of stagnation. Some argue that this slow economic growth is because of poor management and uneven commitment to reform; others insist that it is due to falling commodity prices and poor access to Western markets.

In [[1993]], the government of Kenya implemented a program of economic [[liberalization]] and reform that included the removal of import licensing, [[price controls]], and [[foreign exchange controls]]. With the support of the [[World Bank]], [[IMF]], and other donors, the reforms led to a brief turnaround in economic performance following a period of [[economic growth|negative growth]] in the early [[1990s]]. One of the unintended consequence of freeing foreign exchange control was that it allowed a gold-and-diamond export scam ([[Goldenberg]]) in which the Kenyan government lost over 600 million US dollars. This resulted in a weak currency which hindered economic improvement. Kenya's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] grew 5% in [[1995]] and 4% in [[1996]], and [[inflation]] remained under control. Growth slowed in [[1997]]-[[1999]] however. Political violence damaged the tourist industry, and [[Kenya's Enhanced Structural Adjustment Program]] lapsed. A new economic team was put in place in 1999 to revitalize the reform effort, strengthen the civil service, and curb corruption, but wary donors continue to question the government's commitment to western establishment ideas of sound economic policy.

Considered by some to be long-term barriers to development are: electricity shortages, the government's continued and allegedly inefficient dominance of key sectors, [[Political corruption|corruption]], the foreign debt burden, unstable international commodity prices, poor communication infrastructure and the country's high population growth rate.

Chief among Kenya's exports are: Flowers (Horticulture), Fruit and Vegetables, Tea and Coffee. Another key foreign exchange earner is tourism.

==Demographics==

''Main article: [[Demographics of Kenya]]''

Ethnic tensions account for many of Kenya's problems. During the early 1990s, tribal clashes killed thousands and left tens of thousands homeless. Ethnically split opposition groups allowed the regime of [[Daniel arap Moi]], in power from 1978 until 2002, to be re-elected for four terms, with the election in 1997 being marred by violence and fraud.

Ethnic groups: [[Kikuyu|K&#297;k&#361;y&#361;]] 22%, [[Luhya]] 14%, [[Luo]] 13%, [[Kalenjin]] 12%, [[Kamba]] 11%, [[Kisii]] 6%, [[Meru, Kenya|Meru]] 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and [[Arab]]) 1%

Religious affiliation: Various [[Protestant]] 38%, [[Catholic Church in Kenya|Roman Catholic]] 28%, [[Islam|Muslim]] 6%, Traditional Religions 22%. Others include Hinduism, Jainism & Bahai.

See also: [[List of cities in Kenya]], [[Maasai]].

==Culture==

''Main article: [[Culture of Kenya]]''

*[[National parks (Kenya)]]

*[[List of cities in Kenya]]

*[[List of Kenyans]]

*[[Music of Kenya]]

*[[List of African writers (by country)#Kenya|List of writers from Kenya]]

==Sports==

Kenya is active in several sports, among them [[soccer]], [[hockey]], [[boxing]] and many others. But the country is chiefly known for its dominance in middle-distance and long-distance [[athletics]]. Kenya has regularly produced [[Olympic]] and [[Commonwealth Games]] champions at various distances, especially the 1500M, the 3000M steeplechase, the 5000M and the 10000M races. Kenyan athletes continue to dominate the world of distance running, although competition from [[Morocco]] and [[Ethiopia]] has somewhat reduced this trend. The [[Marathon]] world record holder, [[Paul Tergat]], and the current women's [[Boston Marathon]] champion, [[Catherine Ndereba]], are the among the best-known and most respected athletes in Kenya. A retired [[Olympic]] and [[Commonwealth Games]] champion, [[Kipchoge Keino]], is Kenya's most famous sportsman.

Lately, there has been controversy in Kenyan athletics circles, with the defection of a number of Kenyan athletes to represent other countries, chiefly [[Bahrain]] and [[Qatar]]. The Kenyan Ministry of Sports has tried to stop the defections, but they have continued anyway, with [[Bernard Lagat]] the latest, choosing to represent the [[USA]].

==Miscellaneous topics==

*[[Communications in Kenya]]

**Established [[internet service provider]] ''[[Inter-Connect Ltd]]''. [http://www.iconnect.co.ke]

**One of the major newspapers in Kenya is ''[[The Daily Nation]]''. [http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/Today/ Daily Nation Online]

**Oldest daily newspaper ''[[The Standard]]''. [http://www.eastandard.net/ The Standard]

*[[Transportation in Kenya]]

**Kenya's National Airliner ''[[Kenya Airways|Kenya Airways]]''.

*[[Military of Kenya]]

*[[Foreign relations of Kenya]]

==External links==

{{portal}}

{{commonscat|Kenya}}

{{wiktionary}}

'''Government'''

*[http://www.kenya.go.ke/ Government of Kenya] official site

'''News'''

*[http://allafrica.com/kenya/ AllAfrica.com - ''Kenya''] news headline links

*[http://www.kbc.co.ke/ Kenya Broadcasting Corporation]

'''Overviews'''

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1024563.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Kenya'']

*[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ke.html CIA World Factbook - ''Kenya'']

*[http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/0,12689,849973,00.html Guardian Unlimited - ''Special Report: Kenya'']

'''Directories'''

*[http://search.looksmart.com/p/browse/us1/us317916/us559898/us559899/us10065672/us559919/ LookSmart - ''Kenya''] directory category

*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Kenya/ Open Directory Project - ''Kenya''] directory category

*[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/kenya.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Kenya''] directory category

*[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Kenya.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Kenya''] directory category

*[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Kenya/ Yahoo! - ''Kenya''] directory category

'''Tourism'''

* {{wikitravel}}

* [http://www.weebls-stuff.com/toons/kenya/ Humor outtake on Kenya's tourism]

'''Other'''

*[http://hrw.org/doc?t=africa&c=kenya Human Rights Watch on Kenya]

*[http://kenyaembassy.com/content/index.php?menu=f&id=1098755771 Public holidays]

*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3733489.stm BBC News - ''Suspect 'links' Moi to gold scam''] May 20, 2004 article on the Goldenberg scam

{{Africa}}

On June 19 2007, Higgins announced that her second single from her sophomore album [[On a Clear Night|On A Clear Night]] would be "'''Where I Stood'''". The song was released to commercial radio on June 25 2007. The song was also featured on a promo for [[Desperate Housewives|Desperate Housewives]] in Australia.

[[Category:Kenya]]

[[Category:African Union member states]]

[[Category:Members of the Commonwealth of Nations]]

[[Category:Peace and Security Council]]

==Music Video==

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The video premiered at midnight (12am AEST) on 26th June 2007 via Higgins' [[Myspace]] page. The video was directed by Australian filmmakers Paul Goldman and Alice Bell.

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