2015 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Society
Who is our Society?
Our society is, first and foremost, the Kenyan people and then the broader regional and global community in which we operate. We take pride in being a responsible corporate member of Kenyan society and remain committed to working closely with Kenyans to be a respected and empowering contributor to the social and economic landscape of the country. We acknowledge that the society that surrounds us is an integral part of who we are and our success, providing us with a conducive operating environment and a market for our products and services.
The current population of Kenya is estimated to be 44.35 million, with around 11 million or 25% of Kenyan people living in urban areas (World Bank, 2013). The two largest cities in Kenya are the capital, Nairobi, which has a
population of more than 3.1 million and Mombasa, which is home to just under one million inhabitants (United
Nations, 2009).
Kenyan society reflects its fascinating history of centuries of migration and it is one of the most diverse African countries culturally and linguistically. The country is home to more than 40 different ethnic groups. Among the largest ethnic groups are the Kikuyu, representing around 22% of the population, the Luhya, Luo, Kalenjin, Kamba, Kisii and Meru. Although more than 60 different dialects are spoken in Kenya, the two official languages are Swahili and English.
Kenya is classified as a middle-income country and the ninth biggest economy in Africa, with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of KSH 4.76 trillion and a GDP per capita of KSH 111,330 in 2013 (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics). Agriculture is still the backbone of the economy and contributes around 25% to the GDP.