Kenya is one of around 10 FCDO countries where the number of poor people is thought to be rising, due to low economic growth, rising inequality and high population growth. Although it has the largest and most diversified economy in east Africa, its economic growth is lagging behind its peers due to political and climatic shocks and weak competitiveness.

Top priorities

• strengthen democracy through improving the capacity and accountability of national and local government
• promote broad based sustainable economic development and job creation through improving the investment climate, market development, trade and access to finance
• strengthen systems for delivering health, education and social protection services
• ensure that no one is left behind from development processes, including women and girls, the extreme poor living in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and refugees from neighbouring countries

Further resources

FCDO Operational Plan for Kenya
Kenya page on GOV.UK website

Note: Many country summaries were written prior to the creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and are being incrementally refreshed.