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Introduction
This paper is an analysis of the risks associated with doing business and/or starting a business in Kenya. I will first give a geographical and historical background before I go through different types of risks that are currently present in Kenya. This includes risks of economic, political, cultural, environmental, and competitive nature. The paper will show that there are a multitude of risks involved, and my conclusion to this risk analysis is to be very well prepared before one enters the country with business intentions.
Background
Land and climate. Kenya is about the size of Texas, stretching from the Indian Ocean in the east, to 5,199 meters at the peak of the snow-capped Mount Kenya. From the coast, the altitude changes gradually through the coastal belt and plains (below 152 metres above sea level), the dry intermediate low belt to the Kenya Highlands (over 900 metres above sea level). Kenya has a tropical climate, being hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. Settlement is confined to places where water can be found, and wildlife are masters of the greater part of the low belt. Kenya is located approximately 8-10 hours flying time from major European cities, and about 16-20 hours flying time from North American cities. (Background note: Kenya, 2005)
History. Kenya has like many other African countries been in the hands of different countries, specifically the Portuguese (1498-1729), Arabs (1729-1887) and the British. Kenya became a British protectorate in 1895, and was then organized as a crown colony in 1920.&n ...