Kenyans belong to more than 40% different ethnic groups, or tribes. All have lived in the same territory for centuries. Each tribe has its own language and customs.
Most Africans of Modern Kenya are descended from groups speaking Bantu language, Cushite and the Nilotic. These people settled there over 2000 years ago for the rich soil for farming and the pleasant climate.
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Most Kenyans live in rural villages. These farming villages are in the central and southwestern highlands. These farms grow sugarcane, tea, coffee and cotton. Many families live by fishing in the shallow fresh waters of Lake Victoria. Small tribes live by herding cattle, goats, sheep, and camels. A great deal of these groups are people who move in search of fresh pasture and water regularly. These people are called nomads.
Out of Kenya 28 million people almost 89% of them are native Africans. The rest are Arab, Asian, and European decent. The Kikuyo (Key-koo-yo) are the largest native group with more than six million making up at least 22% of total population. They live as farmers in the southwestern highlands. Luo (Loo-oh) another group make up about 15% of the nations population. They are fisherman and farmers on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Today, Kenya cities are modern with beautiful high-rise hotels, offices complexes and apartment buildings. The people who shop in the stores and dine in the restaurants are dressed in styles out of New York, Paris or London. Modern transportation crowd the streets. Many tribal groups are represented in Nairobi the best jobs and government positions are occupied with the Kikuyu and Luo.
As every cities have their slums, on the outskirts of Nairobi people struggle against poverty. This part of Nairobi is made up of shantytowns, shacks made of wood scraps, cardboard and tin. These shantytowns grew as people came to the city in hopes to find jobs and a better way of life. The government has not been able to supply enough low - cost housing because the population grows to fast.
This second largest city and seaport is Mombass. It is one of Kenya’s oldest communities. Mombass began with the first Arab trades. Arab influence is still evident while many Mombassons are Muslims.