Kenya

Capital: Nairobi

Major Languages: English, Swahili

Area: 580,367 km2

Population: 55 million

HDI Rank: 143 of 189

Major Religion:

Protestant: 27 million (49%)

Other Religions:

Catholic: 13 million (23.5%)

Islam: 5.5 million (10%)

Other: 9.5 million (17.5%)

General Information:

Kenya has been described as "the cradle of humanity", having some of the earliest evidence of man's ancestors. The country is famed for its vast wildlife preserves. Europeans arrived in the area in the 1800s. By the 1890s the British had taken control of Kenya. They made it a British colony in 1920. Kenya got its independence in 1963. Kenyans have large families and several generations may live in the same compound or neighborhood. Polygamy is widely practiced, according to native customs. Soccer and basketball are popular sports in Kenya.

Religious Background:

The Constitution of Kenya provides for freedom of religion to all its citizens. While native Kenyans had their indigenous religions, Islam was introduced into the country by the Arabs, and Christianity by the Europeans. Though Protestantism came in much later, it is the major religion in Kenya today. It was introduced to Kenya in 1844, by John Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary. Tensions in the country between Christians and Muslims have long existed, but have heightened in recent years due to the rise of Islamist radicalization, and terrorist attacks in the country.

Catholic background:

The earliest traces of the Catholic Church in Kenya began with the missionaries who entered in the state in 1498, led by Vasco da Gama. But Catholicism grew and spread rapidly only during the 20th century. Missionary outreach began with the French Congregation of the Holy Ghost among freed slaves. Then came the Consolata Fathers in 1902. The Catholic Church in Kenya is one of the biggest owners of land and property in the country. The Church is composed of 4 archdioceses, 20 dioceses and 708 parishes. Patron saint: Mary Queen of Love.

Prayer Points

1. Kenyans to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior

Pray that everyone will get an opportunity to hear the gospel and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2. Catholics to know Christ

Pray for the salvation of 13 million Catholics in Kenya.
The growing Kenyan Catholic Church is largely nominal. Pray for a revival that would touch the heart of every Catholic and lead them to Christ.
Pray for a spiritual revival and for spiritual movements to take place among Catholics.
Pray that their eyes and ears would be open to the truth of God’s word and that they will trust Christ alone, through faith alone.
Pray for all the Catholics attending the 708 parishes to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, 1,897 priests, 2,204 brothers and 3,747 sisters.
Pray that those who come to know the Lord will in turn be a witness to their families, friends and relatives, drawing them to Christ.

3. Evangelicals to grow and multiply

Kenya has experienced waves of church growth and renewal in the past few decades. Nearly 50% of the population considering themselves to be Evangelical. Pray for trained leaders required to oversee the more than 80,000 congregations. Pray that the Body of Christ will reach out to the lost in the nation and that there will be a great harvest of souls.

4. Social evils and issues in the country

HIV/AIDS is a pressing issue, along with other challenges that include crime, high unemployment and poverty. Droughts frequently put millions of people at risk. Pray for God to bring relief to the suffering and salvation to the people of Kenya.

5. Other Religions

Kenya has followers of Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Mormonism, Baháʼí faith and traditional tribal religions. A small percentage are non-religious. Pray for open doors to preach the gospel, and for many to trust Christ Jesus as their Savior.