Kenya

Culture: Kenya is located in Eastern Africa with a diverse landscape from sandy beaches to Mount Kenya to abundant wildlife in the Maasai Mara. Kenya has a rich history of tribal civilizations which is represented by 42 tribes/ethnic groups today. The main tribes include the Kikuyu, Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii, Meru, Maasai, and turkana. The diversity of tribes is evident in their individual languages, different ways of life, hierarchical relationships, traditional homes, manner of dress and accessories, music and dance, ceremonies and festivals, and food. 

Ministry: 80% of Kenyans are Christian and the constitution of Kenya guarantees freedom of worship for all people and religions. While in Kitale, Kenya, we worked with Pastor Geoffrey of Christian Growth Ministries. Our ministry consisted of preaching, music ministry, school and church construction, hospital visits, secondary school speaking engagements, live radio ministry. Please read more about our ministry in my previous blogs. 

Language: Kiswahili is the national language of Kenya; English is the official language. The majority of students A few key phrases include…

• Jambo meaning hello!
• Asante sana meaning thank you very much!
• Karibu meaning welcome.
• Kwa heri meaning goodbye.
• Imani meaning faith.
• Upendo meaning love.
• Nakupenda meaning I love you.

Food: Ugali is the staple food of Kenya, a mixture of flour and water. Most Kenyans eat a heaping load of ugali to fill their stomachs and feel incomplete without ugali as a part of the meal. Goat has been our staple meat. Cabbage is a common vegetable side both raw and cooked. One of our favorites is chapati, a flatbread adopted from India. And often we have a soup or broth that is poured over our dish. Although Kenya is known for its coffee exports, it is not nearly as popular as Kenyan chai which is taken between 5-7 pm every day.