In 1998, Kenya was a sovereign African country located in East Africa with a population of around 28 million people. The capital city was Nairobi and the official languages of the country were Swahili and English. The predominant religion in Kenya was Christianity. See dentistrymyth for Kenya in the year of 2015.
The economy of Kenya in 1998 had experienced a period of rapid growth due to increased investment in its agricultural sector as well as rising exports to other parts of the world. This economic growth helped to reduce poverty levels throughout the country and improve living standards for many of its citizens.
The political situation in 1998 had become increasingly stable due to efforts by both sides to reach an agreement on issues such as taxation and foreign investment regulations as well as increased investment into infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, airports, and telecommunications networks connecting different parts of the country together. Additionally, there were efforts being made to attract foreign investment into key sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, energy production, and financial services. Overall, Kenya’s economy continued to grow steadily throughout 1998 while its citizens experienced greater social progress due to increased investment in education initiatives as well as improved access to healthcare services.
Yearbook 1998
Kenya. According to Countryaah, the capital of Kenya is Nairobi. President Daniel arap Moi and his party Kenya’s African National Union, the Kenyan African National Union (KANU), entered power in 1998 after defeating the divided opposition in the elections before the New Year. Moi reformed the government in January but retained several of the most corruptly suspected ministers. Since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) halted further loans to Kenya in 1997, the country’s economy was under severe pressure, and the new Finance Minister Simeon Nyachae in March passed a austerity package containing reduced government spending and a series of increased taxes. He announced that the salaries of civil servants must be reduced and the state bureaucracy reduced. The World Bank granted a loan of DKK 100 million. dollars to avoid a total collapse in state finances.
The economy was also harmed by the continued political and ethnic violence. During the first months of the year, hundreds of people were reported killed and more than 300,000 driven from their homes in the Rift Valley area. Most of the victims belonged to the Kikuyu people, and according to the opposition, it was supporters of President Moi from his group Kalenjin who were behind the violence as revenge for Kikuyu as a rule supporting the opposition in the elections.
At least 247 people were killed and 5,000 injured when the US embassy in Nairobi exploded in an August 7 terror attack. Twelve of those killed were Americans. Some 40 buildings around the embassy were completely or partially destroyed. The suspicions were directed at Saudi terrorist Usama bin Ladin, who has been living in Afghanistan in recent years. Two Muslims – a Yemenite and a Jordanian – who were suspected of being involved in the attack were extradited to the United States.
- Abbreviationfinder: What does KEN stand for in geography? Here, this 3 letter acronym refers to the country of Kenya.
October
Long sentences for assassination attempt in mall
October 30
The two men who were convicted earlier in October for assisting the Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab in the attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi in 2013 (see October 7, 2020) are now sentenced to 33 years and 18 years in prison respectively. The man who is to serve the longer sentence is also convicted of possessing jihadist propaganda in his computer. The seven years they have already been in prison shall be deducted from the sentences.
Kenyatta and Odinga launch reform proposals
October 29
President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who are now cooperating politically, are now resuming the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), see November 2019) by presenting a joint report. It contains a proposal on how the political system can be reformed, among other things it is proposed that a prime ministerial post be established, as well as a position as official opposition leader. The idea is that voters should be allowed to take a position on it in its entirety in a referendum, but nothing is said about when it will be held. A likely date, however, is at the same time as the elections to be held in 2022. This is happening at a time when President Kenyatta is finding it increasingly difficult to get his bills through parliament, as parts of the ruling Jubilee Party (JP) that supports Vice President William Ruto are voting against them.
Kenya’s economy is expected to shrink by 6 percent by 2020
October 20
Forecasts indicate that the Kenyan economy will shrink by almost 6 percent in 2020, due to the corona crisis. Reduced economic activity during the spring shutdown of society, not least the problems created by the pandemic for the tourism industry, has been of great importance.
Kenya and UK agree on education summit 2021
11 October
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have agreed to organize a summit on better education in poor countries. The idea is to raise $ 5 billion for the international education fund GPE, which was formed in 2002 and has singer Rihanna as its global ambassador. The number of children who do not go to school has increased significantly during the corona pandemic.
Two convicted of assault on mall
October 7
Two men are sentenced in a Kenyan court for assisting the Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab in the attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi in 2013, in which 67 people were killed (see September 2013). A third man is acquitted of the charges. The four men who carried out the act were killed in connection with this. The verdict against the men, both of which will be announced on October 22.
Kenya’s schools reopen
October 6
Some Kenyan students are now allowed to return to school, as the number of new cases of covid-19 in Kenya has decreased. The school opening will take place gradually. Degrees will, however, not be held until March and April 2021. All students and teachers must wear mouth guards and the school must check that they do not have a fever. Even before, bars have been allowed to reopen, restaurants have been allowed to sell alcohol again and the night curfew now starts at 23 in the evening instead of as before at 21.
Two killed in clashes between Kenyatta and Ruto supporters
4 October
Two people are killed and several others injured in clashes between supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto in Kenol Town, northeast of Nairobi. The police use tear gas to end the violence. They break out in connection with a church in the city arranging a fundraiser, in which Ruto later participates.
The gap between Kenyatta and Ruto is growing
October 2
Another sign comes about a growing gap between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto, as the latter is no longer allowed to enter the ruling Jubilee Party’s headquarters. Both Kenyatta and Ruto have officially denied that there are any contradictions.
Auditor General: 21 million in corona money disappeared for corruption
1 October
About $ 21 million spent on fighting the corona pandemic has disappeared in corruption, according to a report by Kenya’s Auditor General Nancy Gathangu. She points out the authority Kemsa, which is responsible for purchasing for healthcare, as responsible (see August and September 2020).
