The Republic of Kenya gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Most recently in the news for the violent response to the December 2007 election, Kenya is finding its way through calls for political change. Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner and sworn in on December 30, despite opposition leader Raila Odinga's supporters challenging the election results. Riots in the Rift Valley and Nairobi left some 1,500 dead, thousands displaced, commerce interrupted, and a sharp decline in the most important of Kenya's industries, tourism. On March 2, 2008, the parties reached agreement for a coalition government that will be enforced by the Parliament. We anxiously await the results of implementation of this agreement.
Kenya's population is currently 35 million. The population is very diverse, and includes most of the major ethnic and linguistic groups of Africa. Kenya has also served as host to refugees from Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia. The official languages are English and Swahili. 45% of the population are Protestant, 33% Catholic and 10% Muslim. Literacy is high, with some 80% of the population over 15 estimated to have the ability to read and write. Life expectancy is about 49 years. The mortality rate for infants is 79 per 1,000 live births. Female genital mutilation is widely practiced. Per capita income is approximately $680 per year (2006). Learn more about Kenya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DemographicsofKenya and http:devdata.worldbank.org/external/CPProfile.asp?PTYPE=CP&CCODE=KEN
Eastern Province
The region is semi-arid and is the second largest of Kenya's 7 provinces. Inhabitants are mostly Kamba, with some pastoral communities. Our village of Mwaani is located in the Machakos district. For more information about the province, and district
http://www.answers.com/topic/eastern-province-kenya?cat=travel
http://www.answers.com/topic/machakos-district?cat=travel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamba
Machakos Town (on map), Makueni Village (Wote), Mwaani
Machakos, while located only 35 miles from Nairobi, is a two-hour drive due to the horrible condition of the roads. This is a town of some 35,000 people, and is the closest commerce center to Mwaani, Our banks and internet capability are located in Machakos.
The next village, Makueni (or Wote) is the capital of Makueni district, and home to about 56,000 people. Many shops are located here, as is a local market where residents buy produce, textiles, used clothing, furniture and other home needs. Wote received electricity about 3 years ago.
Mwaani is a collection of far-flung homes ranging from huts with straw roofs to brick homes. Most of the homes do not have electricity, and none have plumbing. The most prevalent tribe here is Kamba, which is a Bantu ethnic group. The villagers are traders, farmers, herders (of their own cattle) and basket-makers. To learn more about the Kamba http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamba
The second village targeted by The Village Net is Suswa, located in the Rift Valley Province. This province is the largest of Kenya's seven provinces, and is inhabited by 7 million members of intertwined tribes. The most famous of these, due to their colorful clothing and strong identity, is the Maasai. The Rift Valley is a center of farming and agriculture (especially tea), and livestock rearing. For more information on the Rift Valley, click here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rift_Valley_Province,_Kenya
The Narok District and Suswa
The Village Net is working with the Emayian Women's Group in Suswa, located in the Narok district. These women are Maasai, and they run a number of small businesses such as basket-making, beading, textiles, and raising of small animals. The men are typically involved in construction, or may serve as livestock herders (the traditional view of a Maasai man is herding cattle). This area has the highest rate of female genital mutilation in Kenya, despite the fact that the practice was outlawed in 2001. The town of Narok, home to about 40,000 people, is the location of banks, internet and places for staff to stay.