General Background:
Kenya is a vibrant and colourful country – with a diverse population made up of more than 70 different ethnic groups.
Situated on the east coast of Africa it borders the Indian Ocean and shares land borders with Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
The Great Rift Valley runs through Kenya from north to south and the Equator runs across the middle.
It can be split roughly into ‘thirds’ in terms of its environment. One third is considered arid and semi-arid desert land. Another third is highlands, mountains, forests, lakes and farmland; and the final third is savannah grassland, home to much of the wildlife we associate with East Africa.
Kenya has one of the fastest growing populations in Africa and faces significant challenges of debt and poverty. Its external debt is more than £12 million and more than 50% of the population live below the poverty line (less than $1 per day).
In 2003 Kenya voted Mwai Kibaki and his coalition NARC party into power, currently the President is fighting to clean up corruption. Recent reports rank Kenya as joint second most corrupt country in the world. (Transparency International corruption ranking 2005).
The early part of 2008 has seen significant civil unrest and ethnic tension following disputed presidential elections. At least 900 people have died and more than a quarter of a million people have been displaced in the resulting violence.
Mission in Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities
The main challenges faced by the Church as it engages in mission are related to poverty, illiteracy, famine and disease. As local Christians look to share the love of Christ they often find themselves responding to the needs of people in a holistic way.
In addition to key areas of evangelism and leadership training CMS Ireland’s partners in Nairobi and Kajiado are also involved in housing projects, education, water catchment programmes, youth work and farm management amongst other things. These are practical demonstrations of God’s love for His people and tangible expressions of a church’s engagement with its community.
