THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

the climatic patterns, with inland rainfall generally relating to changes in altitude. 22 High
rainfalls are normally associated with the Indian Ocean coastal belt, the central highlands, and
the areas near the north and east of Lake Victoria. The physical basis of the country is its
extensive erosional plains that cut across ancient crystalline rocks of precambrian age. These
physical features are more vivid along the rift valley. The height of the Kenya Highlands has
been greatly augmented by outpourings of tertiary lavas, leaving plateaux at 2,500-3,000m
and with isolated extinct volcanoes like Mt Kenya (5,199m) and Mt Elgon (4,321m).
The Great East African Rift Valley bisects the country from north to south. This rift valley is
dotted with lakes and volcanoes which are inactive, but generally associated with steam vents
and hot springs. Westwards, the plains incline beneath the waters of Lake Victoria and
eastwards they have been down-warped beneath a sediment-filled basin, signifying the impact
of warping. Forests are largely located in the rainy upper levels of the Kenyan highlands,
where they are supplied with abundant rainfall. East and west of the highlands, forests give
way to low trees scattered through an even cover of short grass. 23 Semi-desert regions below
3,000 feet, give rise to baobab trees. In drier areas of the north, desert scrub occurs, exposing
the bare ground. The vegetation of the coastal region is basically savannah with patches of
residual forests. While the northern coast still bears remnants of forests, years of human
occupation in the south have virtually destroyed most of the forests in this part of the
country. 24
In terms of economic and political governance, Kenya, formally a British settlers’colony,
attained independence from Britain in 1963 and later became a republic. The Country
currently has a total population of 36,987,000 people of which 66% are residing in the
countryside. 25 This indicates intense competition for arable land and thus creating a lot of land
conflicts. Tourism is essential to the economy, and Kenya being one of Africa's major tourist
destinations, tourism is essential to the economy. 26
After independence, Kenya promoted rapid economic growth through public investment,
encouragement of smallholder agricultural production, and incentives for private (often
foreign) industrial investment. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at an annual average of
6.6% from 1963 to 1973. Agricultural production grew by 4.7% annually during the same
period. This was stimulated by redistributing estates, diffusing new crop strains, and opening
new areas to cultivation. Between 1974 and 1990, however, Kenya's economic performance
declined. Inappropriate agricultural policies and poor international terms of trade contributed
to the decline in agriculture. Kenya's inward-looking policy of import substitution and rising
oil prices made Kenya's manufacturing sector uncompetitive. The government began a
massive intrusion in the private sector. Lack of export incentives, tight import controls, and
22 Buckle, C. 1992. Physical Geography of East Africa. Nairobi: East African Literature Bureau.
23 Mistu News. Reservation of Permanet Forest Estate in East Africa, September 2004.
24 Katuu, S. 2002. Kenya Resource Database: A Preliminary Review. Sage Publications. 18(2):107-110.
25 GOK.1995. Statistical Abstract. Nairobi: Government Printer.
26 GOK. 1999. Population and Human Development Planning Report. Nairobi: Government Printer.
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