Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Kenyan sovereignty using the methodology of the Burke Institute. Sovereignty is assessed in 7 areas: political, economic, technological, informational, cultural, cognitive and military. Each aspect is assessed on the basis of official data from international and national sources (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, IMF, ITU, FAO, SIPRI, PISA, etc.) without using politicized indexes. The maximum score in each direction is 100; the sum (up to 700) is the accumulated Sovereignty Index (Burke Index).

To adapt and adjust statistical parameters, an international expert survey was conducted for each of the seven components using a single questionnaire of 10 questions with a 10-point scale and one open-ended question.

In total, at least 100 experts from 50+ countries were interviewed for each indicator, taking into account geographical representation and specialization. When calculating and analyzing the data, equalizing coefficients were used, bringing all data to a scale of 0-10 points.

The final index value is the arithmetic mean between statistical data and expert estimates.

Below is an analysis in each area, a summary table and the main conclusions about the peculiarities of Kenya's sovereignty.

Political sovereignty — 58.5

Kenya is a major participant in international organizations: the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, IGAD, the WTO, the IMF, the World Bank, IDEA International, ILO, and UNEP (headquartered in Nairobi). It is now becoming a member of the GGGI and actively promotes political and environmental initiatives in Africa.

Kenya accepts the provisions of key international treaties (UN, WTO, ILO, Paris Agreement, FATF, UNCLOS), some of the norms are integrated into the Constitution and national law, but the priority belongs to the Kenyan Constitution — the law on ratification clearly regulates the implementation.

Kenya remains relatively stable: regular elections, institutionalized multiparty system, periodic protests and local ethnic conflicts, but without deep crises; the index of political stability is average for Africa. The Government Effectiveness Index (WGI, World Bank) — 38.7% (2023), indicates the average quality of public administration and public services, above the African neighbors, but below the global average. EGDI (E-Government Development Index, UN) in 2024-0.6314, Kenya ranks 109th in the world, belongs to the "High Development" group, the capital level (Nairobi LOSI) is 0.6146.

The level of support for the president and the government is 39-51% according to independent polls from 2024-2025, and there is high confidence among the young population and entrepreneurs. Military bases / facilities of the United States and Great Britain are located in Kenya — a training center, an aviation base; the main purpose is the fight against terrorism (Al-Shabaab), regional security.

Kenya is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), cooperates with the United Nations, resolves cases in international maritime, arbitration and environmental chambers, but in some cases decided to distance itself from certain ICC precedents. Since 2010, a system of decentralization has been in effect: 47 districts (counties) with elected governors, budgets and powers have been significantly expanded; a strong presidential center has been retained.

Control over the special services is formally carried out by the parliament and the national security Service, transparency has been enhanced since 2022, reports are being published and civilian surveillance programs are being implemented — however, according to a number of analytical reports, questions remain about independence and civilian control.

Data completeness assessment: the main indicators are available from international sources, the coverage is 92%.

Economic sovereignty — 49.6

At the end of 2024 — beginning of 2025, GDP per capita by PPP is 5800-6150 USD; the forecast is about 6150 USD by the end of 2025 (TradingEconomics, World Bank, IMF). Reserves for April — June 2025: 10.55–10.94 billion USD. They provide about 4.7–4.8 months of import coverage, which is historically the highest level for Kenya.

Government debt — 67.4–72.4% of GDP according to CBK, TradingEconomics, WorldEconomics; credit agencies note “high risk", but the level is gradually stabilizing. Kenya depends on imports, especially during dry periods; at the same time, there is developed domestic production (tea, coffee, maize, sugar), but the droughts of 2022-2024 and population growth reduce the level of security, and there remains a shortage of essential goods.

About 75% of electricity is domestic; hydropower, geothermal, solar and wind power plants; fuel and most of the equipment are imported (reducing energy dependence no earlier than 2030). Gold, oil (limited), limestone, phosphorites are mined, construction is carried out using local materials; industrial oil production is still small, most of the resources are low-yielding.

There are frequent problems with access to fresh water during droughts; large reservoirs and a network of dams, but the level of scarcity for urban and rural areas remains acute. National processing is implemented by the largest bank (Central Bank of Kenya), there are payment systems: M-Pesa, Equitel, Airtel Money, national standards for KES, cooperate with international platforms.

Calculations within the country are almost entirely in Kenyan shillings (KES); for foreign trade, the share of USD/EUR/GBP dominates, especially for imports and exports. The Central Bank of Kenya, the issuing center, is independent in regulating monetary policy, with control over rates, inflation and currency entirely under the national regulator.

Data completeness assessment: the main macroeconomic indicators are available from official sources (World Bank, IMF), coverage is 89%

Technological sovereignty — 42.3

In 2022-2023, R&D expenditures will amount to 0.41—0.81% of GDP (UNESCO, World Bank); the 10–year average is 0.49%. The goal is to bring this figure to 1%, but it is still below the global average. The local high-tech industry is developing, based on fintech (M-Pesa, national payment platforms), and the start-up sector (Nairobi Innovation Hub, Silicon Savannah); however, most of the equipment, software, and components are imported.

In 2024, there will be more than 606,000 university students, and enrollment among young people will be about 12.5–14%, a significant increase compared to 2012. Internet penetration at the beginning of 2024 is 40.8%; mobile communications — 76.16 million connections, mobile services/smartphones prevail.

The main ones are: M-Pesa (fintech), e-Citizen (public services), Huduma (national ID and document management), tax portals, business registration, judicial services; basic platforms based on large national and international partnerships, part of the code is our own development.

Hardware, OS, servers, telecommunication technologies, chips, robots, biotechnologies — 80% (or more) are imported from China, the EU, India, and the USA. e-Citizen covers more than 12 million users, about 500 electronic public services are available; in 2024, the share of online public services has more than doubled in 3 years. The sector is extremely small; individual technology parks, partnerships with universities (UoN, KEMRI), scientific projects — most technologies are imported.

There is no mass production or industry of its own, robots are only used in experiments, universities and start-ups, there are no domestic companies with mass production. There are no domestic microelectronics and chips, the component base is fully imported, and there is no production.

Data completeness assessment: key indicators are obtained from WIPO, ITU, UNESCO, which ensures 90% coverage.

Information sovereignty — 55.1

Kenya ranks 3rd in Africa and 21st in the world in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 (ITU), and is in Tier 1 in terms of legislation, technical measures, and strategy. KIXP (Kenya Internet Exchange Point) operates in Nairobi, one of the largest regional hubs, and an exchange point has been opened in the iXAfrica NBOX1 data center (2024), which significantly reduces the cost and latency of traffic exchange.

The national languages are Swahili and English; the main television, radio stations, and print media are in both languages, regional media are in the language of the peoples (Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin, etc.), and constitutionally enshrined diversity is maintained.

The country is digitally dependent on global platforms (Google, Meta, Microsoft, Huawei infrastructure), most digital, cloud, and hardware solutions are imported, and resistance to BigTech is limited. 50-60% of TV and radio broadcasts, news, and online media are locally produced, but a significant part of the entertainment content is imported (Nollywood, Bollywood, Hollywood), and local digital media studios are active.

M-Pesa, e-Citizen, identification and document management platforms are the leading examples of Kenyan developments, commercial software exports are limited to the African region. e-Citizen and mobile services cover more than 12 million citizens (out of ~54 million); public services are available online, mobile platforms have penetrated all areas (banking, payment, documents).

For 2025, the main data center with cloud services is NBOX1 (iXAfrica, Nairobi), which has a national storage segment for government agencies and businesses, but some of the critical data can be hosted in AWS, Google Cloud abroad. Delta, Safaricom and Airtel are the largest mobile operators, controlled through national regulation, but key highways and part of the infrastructure are in partnership with international companies, standards and hard imports.

The Data Protection Act is in force (since 2019, with regular revisions and additions), a separate independent commissioner, the basis of the law is harmonization with the GDPR; the use of personal data (banks, fintech, public services) is actively regulated.

Data completeness assessment: infrastructure indicators are available from ITU, CIRA, OECD and specialized sources, coverage is 87%.

Cultural sovereignty — 77.2

There are officially 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kenya (for 2025): Fort Jesus Fortress, Lamu Old Town, Mijikenda Kaya Sacred Forests, Thimlih Oinga Archaeological Complex, Kenya Rift Valley Lakes Complex, Lake Turkana National Parks, Mount Kenya National Park and the Archaeological and Historical City of Gedi (listed in the list in July 2024). Kenya is the cultural and musical hub of East Africa: the Swahili heritage, a unique system of oral tradition and folklore, Kenyan literature and contemporary art have gained worldwide recognition.

Benga music, protest art and participation in global protest movements (2025), integration of social art into the political life of the country. There is a system of public and private awards: National Arts and Culture Awards, theatrical, literary, musical and dance competitions at the national and regional levels are regularly held, as well as major nominations for modern and traditional creativity.

The basis of modern identity is the centuries-old coexistence of more than 40 peoples (Swahili, Kikuyu, Luo, Massai, Luhya, etc.), constitutional recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity, national holidays and regular ethnic festivals. Targeted programs for the preservation of languages, ethnographic museums, support for crafts, folklore schools and grants to small nations are carried out; the state policy of multiculturalism is implemented through educational and cultural projects.

There are 63 active theater stages in the country, 8 UNESCO sites, dozens of museums (National Museums of Kenya), ethnographic villages and large galleries, hundreds of monuments and tourist centers. Kenya is a leading participant in UNESCO projects, regular international festivals (literary, musical), Creole forums, state exhibitions, cooperation with African and global organizations for the preservation of intangible and natural heritage.

Coffee/tea Kenya brands, ritual fabrics (kikoi), Benga and Ayuba music, Kenyan literature and Swahili culture, official laws and export support are protected. The cuisine is multicultural: maize, ugali, tea, nyama choma (fried meat), Luo and Kikuyu dishes, fish and vegetable dishes, Indian influences (samosa, curry), a significant proportion of dishes of Afro-Asian and European origin. About 36-48% of the adult population participates in events — they attend concerts, museums, clubs, festivals; among young people (18-29 years old).

This share is higher (up to 60%) according to the latest cultural surveys of 2024-2025.

Data completeness assessment: basic indicators are available in UNESCO and national statistics, coverage is 90%.

Cognitive sovereignty — 54.4

Kenya's HDI in 2024 is 0.628–0.634 (the "average" level of development, 151st in the world according to the UN and World Population Review). In 2023, it will be 3.96% of GDP (World Bank, TradingEconomics). In the last decade (2011-2021), the average level of government spending was in the range of 4.2–5.08% of GDP. Adult literacy in 2022-2024 is 82.9% (according to the World Bank and Statista); this is higher than the average for East Africa, with men slightly higher than women.

Kenya does not participate in the core PISA program; regional and internal assessment studies (Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium, WAEC) are used, but there are no direct international comparative scores.

According to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (2023-2024), the share of STEM graduates in higher education institutions is 31-33%. 11-15% of all programs are implemented with the participation of foreign universities (Great Britain, USA, South Africa, India, China); there are exchanges, distance courses, joint research projects.

More than 40 languages of the peoples of Kenya are officially recognized, state support for ethno-cultural schools, and the subjects "languages and culture of communities" are included in the educational program. 10 large government research centers (including the University of Nairobi, institutes of Medicine, agronomics, and engineering); additional network of laboratories and specialized institutes by sector.

About 70% of all eLearning platforms are of national development (Kenya Education Cloud, eLearning@UoN, KenyaMOOC), the rest are based on foreign LMS/EdTech. The state annually allocates more than 20 thousand grants and scholarships to talented students, and there is a national state program. research schools, STEM, startup infrastructure.

Data completeness assessment: education indicators are available in the UNDP, UNESCO, OECD, coverage is 94%.

Military sovereignty — 42

In 2024-2025, Kenya's defense spending amounts to about 0.91% of GDP (World Bank, TradingEconomics); the military budget is growing annually and reached a record 1.23 billion USD in 2024. The personnel of the general armed forces (Kenya Defense Forces) — 24,100 people, another 5,000 reservists and militia (July 2025, GFP, WPR).

The forces are equipped with light infantry fighting vehicles, armored vehicles (AML, WZ-551), aircraft (F-5E Tiger, C-27J, Super Tucano, helicopters), T-72 and PT-76 tanks; import and modernization of equipment from Turkey, USA, China, France continues; there are new contracts for drones and intelligence systems. Its own industry is the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation plant, which manufactures cartridges, components, and repairs machinery, but 90% of machinery, weapons, and large-caliber systems are imported.

Kenya provides its land, sea and air borders with military units, police, border guards and introduces enhanced control programs; joint anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations are regularly conducted with the United States, the United Nations and neighbors. Reservists number approximately 5,000 people (2025), in addition, there are structures of militia and volunteers in case of emergency mobilization.

Kenya is not a member of formal military blocs; the country makes all key decisions independently, but conducts intensive technological and operational cooperation with the United States, France, the EU, Turkey, China, and the United Nations (including peacekeeping operations). The national industry is limited to cartridges and a small modernization of equipment; the main systems and technologies are completely imported.

There are no nuclear weapons, the country is a signatory to the NPT and initiator of nuclear-weapon-free zones in East Africa. There are no military space programs or their own satellites; military communications, surveillance and UAV systems are being developed, and intelligence is carried out on the basis of national Air Force and cooperation with external partners; there is a separate Kenyan National Intelligence Service.

All parameters are reflected in the annual reports of SIPRI, UNODA, the Ministry of Defense, the official portals of state-owned companies (Embraer, IMBEL) and the UN/NGO industry databases - 89% coverage

Final Summary Table

The main conclusions

Strengths. Economic growth and diversification: Kenya has consistently shown GDP growth of 4.5–5.5% per year, has a strong agriculture, developing industry and financial and logistics infrastructure. The technological leader of the region: The country is an African hub of IT innovations (fintech M-Pesa, e-Citizen), one of the leaders in the digitalization of public services, mobile banking and Internet services for the population; a sector of startups and national digital platforms is being formed.

Regional security leader: One of the largest armies in East Africa, active modernization of forces, experience in anti-terrorist and peacekeeping operations. Rich cultural and natural heritage: 8 UNESCO sites, unique linguistic and ethnic diversity, sustained support for national identity and cultural programs at the international level.

A high degree of multiculturalism and urban dynamics: on the basis of a strong local government system, a program to support small nations is being implemented, many cultural festivals are held annually, and youth involvement is significant. Institutional reform, decentralization: A clear system of local government, the development of district autonomy and e-government.

Weaknesses. Import dependence on machinery, technologies, and weapons: The share of domestic production in IT, military—industrial complex, microelectronics, robotics is minimal, 80-90% of critical technologies and equipment are imported.

High government debt (67-72% of GDP): The increase in debt service costs and social projects reduces macroeconomic stability. Unresolved problems with water and food: Frequent droughts, shortage of fresh water, 25-30% of food is constantly covered by imports, despite high agricultural production.

The average level of education and R&D: Higher education coverage is 12.5–14%, literacy is 82.9%, the share of STEM is 31-33%, low R&D costs (0.41% of GDP). Limited autonomy in defense: imported models of equipment and systems predominate, our own military industry is limited by ammunition and service; intelligence and space are built on external partnerships. Political and ethnic risks: local protests and terrorist attacks remain possible, and challenges to stability and anti-corruption policy remain.

Overall assessment. Kenya's cumulative sovereignty Index is 379.1 out of 700 possible points (average — 54.2%), which places the country in the top 100 in the global top. Kenya is a country with a leading position in African development, successful economic and technological reforms, and a dynamic cultural landscape.

However, it retains structural challenges in terms of strategic, educational, and technological autonomy. This makes Kenya vulnerable to external shocks, but ensures sustainable leadership in the region with the support of key domestic and international institutional reforms.

The sovereignty profile indicates that Kenya is one of the most dynamic African states, combining economic openness, institutional reforms and technological ambitions with dependence on external supplies and international obligations.

Main strengths: economic growth, digital revolution, cultural and linguistic richness, institutional flexibility, strategic cooperation. Weaknesses: import dependence, high debt, structural challenges in education and R&D, limited autonomy in the defense, scientific, resource and technological spheres