Following a period of relative stability, Kenya’s economy has been in decline since the 1990’s. Factors contributing to this decline include: high levels of inflation; a weakened local currency and reduced income from its major exports (coffee, tea and horticultural products). The once highly profitable tourism industry has been damaged by political instability, not more so than by the events that unfolded following the December 2007 elections (see Political Issues). These are all problems that affect the whole of the Kenyan population but will impact the poorest people the most. Over 60% of the people inhabiting the Shimba Hills area, in which SCT focuses its our support, live below the poverty line.
Language and Religion
Kenya has two official languages, English and Kiswahili. English is the main language of business whilst Swahili is widely spoken in towns and within the National Assembly. More than 40 different languages are spoken across the country. The constitution of Kenya guarantees freedom of religion and worship to its people. The vast majority of Kenyans are Christians with the Anglican Church and the Roman Catholic Church being the most established Christian denominations. Islam is the other major religion in Kenya with the largest number of Muslims found in Mombasa and neighbouring Coastal regions.
Health issues
Even before the recent conflict erupted, Kenya ranked among the 30 poorest countries in the world. Pre-election estimates suggest that 56 percent of Kenyans live below the poverty line and 44 percent are undernourished, as the majority of households experience chronic food insecurity. Thirty-five percent have no access to health services 2006 statistics produced by the World Heath Organization stated life expectancy for a Kenyan male to be 51 years and a Kenyan female 50 years. Further, the probability of a child dying before they reach the age of 5 is 121/1000.The top 4 causes of death across all age groups are as follows:
HIV/AIDS – Currently, there are 1.5 million HIV-positive Kenyans, approximately 150,000 Kenyans are lost each year due to AIDS and roughly one million children have been left orphaned by the disease;
Malaria – 14% of childhood deaths are due to Malaria;
Lower respiratory infections – Tuberculosis is the third largest killer in Kenya; and
Diarrhoeal diseases – Largely caused by lack of safe drinking water and insufficient sanitation.
In addition to the above, during the course of our work Sally’s Children’s Trust encounters many children suffering from the effects of jigger worm, which bury their way into the students feet to hatch into eggs (and baby worms) later. Although not normally life threatening, these worms result in infections, medical bills and in extreme cases (often where medical fees can’t be paid) this can result in the loss of limbs. Jigger worms are made worse where children do not wear shoes and occupy buildings without concrete flooring. As part of our work we aim to reduce the risk of jiggers whereever possible through the provision of suitable flooring.
