Kenya and AIDS

Kenya, like many other parts of Africa has been hit hard by AIDS and doesn't have the resources to cope here are some facts:

  • HIV/Aids declared a national disaster
  • 2,100,000 people living with AIDS and HIV (14% of the population)
  • More than 1.5 million people have already died
  • 500 people die each day from AIDS
  • Problem exacerbated by poverty, ignorance and traditional practices
  • wife inheritance
  • Poor education on safe sex and AIDS
  • Young people at most risk of aids.
  • Many already infected or born with it.
  • As many as a million children have become orphans

Demographics

Kenya is a country of great ethnic diversity with Kenyans boasting of 42 separate tribes and even more local languages. Tribal violence is a common problem. During the early 1990s, 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 19%, Luhya 15%, Luo 14%, Kalenjin 15%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Ameru 6%, other African 12%, non-African (Asian/Desi, European, and Arab) 1%

Religious affiliation: Various Protestant 38%, Roman Catholic 29%, Muslim 12%, Traditional Religions 18%. Others include Hinduism, Jainism & the Bahá'í Faith.