Rural Life In Kenya

I decided to look at the quality of life in rural areas in Kenya, a very interesting and recently messed-up country.  According to the WHO website, only 58% of Kenyan citizens live in rural environments, as opposed to a whopping 84% for nearby Ethiopia, but the information given is from 2005.  On the CIA World Factbook, Kenya's urban population is listed at only 22%, and the data is from 2008.  It also lists that the urbanization rate over the last five years has been roughly 4%, so people are continuing to move into the cities.  

Despite this information, Kenya remains a country most recognized for its small tribal villages which have kept the same way of life for centuries.  While culturally stimulating, this system has proven to be unproductive in terms of raising the standard of living for the majority of Kenyans.  The national unemployment rate is around 45%, higher than the average in Africa, which is mildly surprising considering Kenya's relatively strong economy.  Also, 75% of the country's workforce are agricultural workers, mostly using archaic and inefficient methods, again hampering the potential for growth.  

Although the image of men with spears herding cattle is a beautiful defining image, Kenya's rural population is far too great to be efficient in moving the country towards a better future.