Geography of Kenya – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Kenya including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Kenya.
- Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometers (224,081 sq mi), Kenya is the world’s 48th largest country by area.
- With a population of more than 47.6 million in the 2019 census.
- Kenya is the 29th most populous country.
- Kenya’s capital and largest city is Nairobi, while its oldest city and first capital is the coastal city of Mombasa.
- Kisumu City is the third-largest city and also an inland port on Lake Victoria.
- Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the southeast.
Geography of Kenya

Region:
East Africa
Area:
Ranked 48th
Capital:
Nairobi
Population:
54,985,698
Bordering Countries:
- Kenya is bordered to the north by South Sudan and Ethiopia, to the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean, to the south by Tanzania, and to the west by Lake Victoria and Uganda.
Total Size:
580,367 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
1°16′S 36°48′E
World Region or Continent:
Africa
General Terrain:
low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
Geographical Low Point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point:
Mount Kenya 5,199 m
Climate:
- The climate of Kenya varies by location, from mostly cool every day, to always warm/hot.
- The climate along the coast is tropical. This means rainfall and temperatures are higher throughout the year.
- At the coastal cities, Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi, the air changes from cool to hot, almost every day.
- An arid climate is nearly devoid of rainfall, and temperature swings widely according to the general time of the day/night.
- The daytime temperature rises about 12 °C (corresponding to a rise of about 22 °F), almost every day.
Major cities:
- Baragoi
- Bungoma
- Busia
- Butere
- Dadaab
- Diani Beach
- Eldoret
- Emali
- Embu
- Garissa
- Gede
- Hola
- Homa Bay
- Isiolo
- Kitui
- Kibwezi
- Kajiado
- Kakamega
- Kakuma
- Kapenguria
- Moyale
- Wundanyi
- Kericho
- Keroka
- Kiambu
- Kilifi
- Kisii
- Kisumu
- Kitale
- Lamu
- Langata
- Litein
- Lodwar
- Lokichoggio
- Londiani
- Loyangalani
- Machakos
- Makindu
- Malindi
- Mandera
- Maralal
- Marsabit
- Meru
- Mombasa
- Mumias
- Muranga
- Mutomo
- Nairobi
- Naivasha
- Nakuru
- Namanga
- Nanyuki
- Naro Moru
- Narok
- Nyahururu
- Nyeri
- Ruiru
- Shimoni
- Takaungu
- Thika
- Vihiga
- Voi
- Wajir
- Watamu
- Webuye
- Wote
Major Land forms:
- Mount Kenya.
- Great Rift Valley.
- Chalbi Desert.
- Lake Victoria.
- Lake Turkana.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major rivers:
- Nile
- White Nile
- Victoria Nile (Uganda)
- Lake Victoria
- Nzoia River
- Yala River
- Nyando River
- Sondu River (Miriu River)
- Awach River
- Itare River
- Kitare River (South Awach River)
- Gucha River (Kuja River)
- Migori River
- Riana River
- Mogonga River
- Mara River
- Kajiado
- Kakamega
- Kakuma
- Kapenguria
- Moyale
- Suguta River
- Kerio River
- Lokichar River (Lomenyangaparat)
- Turkwel River
- Suam River
- Omo River
- Turkwel River
- Olarabel River (Ngusero River)
- Molo River
- Perkerra River
- Njoro River
- Gilgil River
- Malewa River
- Turasha River (Kija river)
- Southern Ewaso Ng’iro
- Seyabei River
- Jipe Ruvu River
- Wundanyi
- Lumi River
- Ruiru River
- Jubba River (Somalia)
- Lagh Dera
- Lak Bor
- Lagh Kutulo
- Lagh Bogal
- Ewaso Ng’iro
- Isiolo River
- Naro Moru river
- Milgis
- Dawa River
- Tana River
- Kathita River
- Mutonga River
- Thiba River
- Thika River
- Kiama River
- Ragati River
- Kururu River
- Muhuhi River
- Galana River
- Athi River
- Mbagathi River
Natural Resources:
Gold, limestone, soda ash, salt, rubies, fluorspar, garnets, wildlife, hydropower.
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
- Eastern and Coastal Freshwater.
- Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
- Flooded Grasslands and Savannas
Topography:
- Kenya has tremendous topographical diversity including glaciated mountains with snow-capped peaks the Rift Valley with its scarps and volcanoes ancient granitic hills flat desert landscapes and coral reefs and islets.
Oceans:
Indian Ocean
Islands:
- Lamu Island
- Manda Island
- Funzi Island
- Wasini Island
- Chale Island
- Pate Island
- Mfangano Island
- Migingo Island
- Kiwayu
- Rusinga Island
- Mombasa Island
- Ndere Island
- Ksite Island
Mountain Ranges:
- Mount Kenya
- Mount Satima
- Mount Kinangop
- Mount Longonot
- Mount Mtelo
- Ol Doinyo Orok
- Mount Kipipiri
- Menengai
- Mount Ng’iro
- Mount Elgon
- Mount Kulal
- Mount Marsabit
- Ol Doinyo Eburru
States of Kenya:
- Abyei Area
- Aweil State
- Unity State
- Jonglei State
- Jubek State
- Gogrial State
- Upper Nile State
- Imatong State
- Lakes State
- Tonj State
- Imatong State
- Wau State
- Western Equatoria State
- Yei River State
- Lakes State
See Also:
References:
- countryreports.org – Geography of Kenya
- wikipedia.org – Geography of Kenya
- britannica.com – Geography of Kenya
- nationalgeographic.com – Geography of Kenya
- 3dgeography – Geography of Kenya
- gisgeography.com – Geography of Kenya