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{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
|group = Kenyan Americans<br />'''''Wamarekani wa Kenya'''''
|group = Kenyan Americans<br />'''''Wamarekani wa Kenya'''''
|population = '''estimated 92,638'''<ref name="Census estimate">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/S0201//popgroup~608|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212084818/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/S0201//popgroup~608|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2020|title=American FactFinder - Results|author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS)|website=Factfinder2.census.gov|access-date=13 December 2020 }}</ref>
|population = '''estimated 202,638'''<ref name="Census estimate">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/S0201//popgroup~608|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212084818/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_3YR/S0201//popgroup~608|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2020|title=American FactFinder - Results|author=Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS)|website=Factfinder2.census.gov|access-date=13 December 2020 }}</ref>
|popplace = [[Los Angeles]], [[San Diego]], [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Boston]], [[Seattle]], [[New York City|New York]], [[Minneapolis]]. [[Maryland]], [[North Carolina]], [[Atlanta]], [[Philadelphia]] and [[Texas]], [[Southern United States ]]<ref>https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2014/acs/acsbr12-16_supptab2.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=June 2022}}</ref>
|popplace = [[Los Angeles]], [[San Diego]], [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Boston]], [[Seattle]], [[New York City|New York]], [[Minneapolis]]. [[Maryland]], [[North Carolina]], [[Atlanta]], [[Philadelphia]], [[Texas]], and [[Southern United States ]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2014/acs/acsbr12-16_supptab2.pdf|title=Ten Largest African-Born Countries of Birth in the United States by Selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2008–2012|website=census.gov|access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref>
|langs = [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[English language|English]] {{small|([[Kenyan English|Kenyan dialect]])}}
|langs = [[Swahili language|Swahili]], [[English language|English]] {{small|([[Kenyan English|Kenyan dialect]])}}
|rels = [[Roman Catholicism]] , [[Protestantism]] and [[Islam]]
|rels = [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]] and [[Islam]]
| related = {{flatlist|
| related = {{flatlist|
* [[Luo people|Luo]]
* [[Luo people|Luo]]
* [[Kenyan Canadians]]
* [[Ugandan Americans]]
* [[Ugandan Americans]]
* [[Tanzanian Americans]]
* [[Tanzanian Americans]]
Line 15: Line 14:
}}
}}


'''Kenyan Americans''' are an ethnic group of [[Americans]] of [[Kenyans|Kenyan]] descent. As of the 2010 census, there were an estimated 92,638 Kenyan-born persons living in the United States. Most Kenyan Americans are concentrated in [[Seattle]], [[Texas]], [[Maryland]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[North Carolina]], and the greater [[Washington, D.C.]] area.<ref name="everyculture">{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Kenyan-Americans.html|title=Kenyan Americans - History, Modern era, Significant immigration waves, Acculturation and Assimilation|website=Everyculture.com|access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref>
'''Kenyan Americans''' are an ethnic group of [[Americans]] of [[Kenyans|Kenyan]] descent and ancestry. As of the 2021 census, there were an estimated 94,623 Kenyan-born persons living in the United States. Most Kenyan Americans are concentrated in [[Minneapolis-St. Paul]], [[Seattle]], [[Texas]], [[Maryland]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[North Carolina]], and the greater [[Washington, D.C.]] area.<ref name="everyculture">{{cite web|url=http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Ha-La/Kenyan-Americans.html|title=Kenyan Americans - History, Modern era, Significant immigration waves, Acculturation and Assimilation|website=Everyculture.com|access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Restrictions against immigration from Asia and Africa led to little voluntary immigration from Kenya until the latter half of the 20th century. Kenyan emigration to the United States then noted a large increase, nearly doubling from the decades before.
Restrictions against immigration from Asia and Africa led to little voluntary immigration from Kenya until the latter half of the 20th century and low a number of slaves bringing to the Americas in late 18th century and early 19th century at the Atlantic slave trade. Kenyan emigration to the United States then noted a large increase, nearly doubling from the decades before.


This increase was caused by several factors; political instability and a downturn in the economy in the 1980s in Kenya coupled with a high rate of unemployment (over 35 percent) led to a greater desire to immigrate. Some immigrants were also attracted to technology-oriented careers in the United States that boomed in availability in the 1990s and early 2000s.<ref name="everyculture"/>
This increase was caused by several factors; political instability and a downturn in the economy in the 1980s in Kenya coupled with a high rate of unemployment (over 35 percent) led to a greater desire to immigrate. Some immigrants were also attracted to technology-oriented careers in the United States that boomed in availability in the 1990s and early 2000s.<ref name="everyculture"/>


==Demography==
==Demographics==
Kenyan Americans come from ethnic groups such as the [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]], [[Kisii people|Kisii]], [[Luhya people|Luhya]], [[Kamba people|Kamba]], [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]], [[Meru people|Meru]] or [[Luo people|Luo]] people.
[[File:St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church 08.jpg|thumb|St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church in [[Lawrence, Massachusetts|South Lawrence, Massachusetts]]. This church was founded in 1995 to meet the needs of African immigrants bought this building in Lawrence in 2007. It holds services in English and Kikuyu and is a member of the [[Anglican Church in North America]]’s [[Anglican Diocese in New England]].]]Kenyan Americans come from ethnic groups such as the [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]], [[Kisii people|Kisii]], [[Luhya people|Luhya]],Maasai people[Maasai] [[Kamba people|Kamba]], [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]], [[Meru people|Meru]] or [[Luo people|Luo]] people.


The largest populations of Kenyans in the United States are found in [[Southern California]], [[Massachusetts]], and the greater [[Washington, D.C.]] area. Many Kenyans are also established in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[North Carolina]], states with important health care centers.
The largest populations of Kenyans in the United States are found in [[Texas]], [[Minnesota]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Southern California]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Maryland]] (including the greater [[Washington, D.C.]] area.) Many Kenyans are also established in [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[North Carolina]], states with important health care centers.


According to the 2010 census, approximately one-third of persons born in Kenya who are living in the US have become naturalized citizens.<ref name="Census estimate"/><ref name="everyculture"/>
According to the 2010 census, approximately one-third of persons born in Kenya who are living in the US have become naturalized citizens.<ref name="Census estimate"/><ref name="everyculture"/>
Line 31: Line 30:
African immigrants are among the most educated groups in the United States. Like their recent immigrant counterparts Kenyan Americans give a high value to education.<ref name="everyculture"/>
African immigrants are among the most educated groups in the United States. Like their recent immigrant counterparts Kenyan Americans give a high value to education.<ref name="everyculture"/>


According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute for 2015 to 2019, the total number of immigrants from Kenya in the USA was 141,800.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-02-04|title=U.S. Immigrant Population by State and County|url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/us-immigrant-population-state-and-county|access-date=2021-12-28|website=migrationpolicy.org|language=en}}</ref> The top counties of settlement were as follows:
According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute for 2015 to 2019, the total number of immigrants from Kenya in the United States was 141,800.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-02-04|title=U.S. Immigrant Population by State and County|url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/charts/us-immigrant-population-state-and-county|access-date=2021-12-28|website=migrationpolicy.org|language=en}}</ref> The top counties of settlement were as follows:


1) [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County, MN]] ------------------------ 6,900
1) [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County, MN]] 6,900


2) [[King County, Washington|King County, WA]] ------------------------------- 4,500
2) [[King County, Washington|King County, WA]] 4,500


3) [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant County, TX]] ----------------------------- 4,400
3) [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant County, TX]] 4,400


4) [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County, TX]] ------------------------------ 3,700
4) [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County, TX]] 3,700


5) [[Baltimore County, Maryland|Baltimore County, MD]] ----------------------- 3,000
5) [[Baltimore County, Maryland|Baltimore County, MD]] 3,000


6) [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County, TX]] ------------------------------ 2,900
6) [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County, TX]] 2,900


7) [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County, CA]] -------------------- 2,500
7) [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County, CA]] 2,500


8) [[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin County, OH]] --------------------------- 2,500
8) [[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin County, OH]] 2,500


9) [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County, Mass.]]------------------- 2,400
9) [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County, Mass.]] 2,400


10) [[Collin County, Texas|Collin County, TX]] ----------------------------- 2,400
10) [[Collin County, Texas|Collin County, TX]] 2,400


11) [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County, WA]] --------------------------- 2,200
11) [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County, WA]] 2,200


12) [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County, MD]] ---------------- 2,000
12) [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County, MD]] 2,000


13) [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County, GA]] ----------------------------- 2,000
13) [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County, GA]] 2,000


14) [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County, MN]] ------------------------ 1,900
14) [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County, MN]] 1,900


15) [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County, DE]] -------------------- 1,900
15) [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County, DE]] 1,900


16) [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County, AZ]] ---------------------- 1,800
16) [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County, AZ]] 1,800


17) [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County, KS]] ------------------------ 1,800
17) [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County, KS]] 1,800

From the same source for 2017-2021, there was a total of 150,900 Kenyan immigrants nationally, the top counties of settlement being:

1) [[King County, Washington|King County, WA]]. – 6,800 – 1)

2) [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin, MN]] – 6,800 – (Down 1)

3) [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant County, TX]] – 5,100 – (Same)

4) [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County, TX]] – 3,700 – (Same)

5) [[Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County, MA]] – 3,100 – (Up 4)

6) [[Franklin County, Ohio|Franklin County, OH]] – 3,000 – (Up 2)

7) [[Pierce County, Washington|Pierce County, WA]] – 2,900 – (Up 4)

8) [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County, CA]] – 2,800 – (Down 1)

9) [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County, TX]] – 2,800 – (Down 3)

10) [[Baltimore County, Maryland|Baltimore County, MD]] – 2,700 – 5)

11) ) [[Ramsey County, Minnesota|Ramsey County, MN]] – 2,200 – (Up 3)

12) [[Wake County, North Carolina|Wake County, NC]] – 2,100 – (New)

13) [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County, AZ]] – 2,100 – (Up 3)

14) [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County, KS]] – 2,100 – (Up 3)

15) [[Collin County, Texas|Collin County, TX]] – 2,100 – (Down 5)

16) [[St. Louis County, Missouri|Saint Louis County, MO]] – 1,900 – (New)

17) [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County, MD]] – 1,900 – (Down 5)

18) [[Orange County, California District Attorney election, 2018|Orange County, CA]] – 1,800

19) [[New Castle County, Delaware|New Castle County, DE]] – 1,800 – (Down 4)

20) [[Worcester County, Massachusetts|Worcester County, MA]] – 1,500

21) [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County, TX]] – 1,500

22) [[Fairfax County, Virginia|Fairfax County, VA]] – 1,500

23) [[Dakota County, Minnesota|Dakota County, MN]] – 1,500

24) [[Hudson County, New Jersey|Hudson County, NJ]] – 1,400

25) [[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett County, GA]] – 1,400

26) [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County, NJ]] – 1,400

27) [[Denton County, Texas|Denton County, TX]] – 1,400

28) [[Cobb County, Georgia|Cobb County, GA]] – 1,400 – (Down 15)

29) [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County, NJ]] – 1,200

- [[Santa Clara County, California]], and [[Cass County, North Dakota]], each had 1,100 while [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]], had 1,000.


==Organizations==
==Organizations==
Like other immigrant groups living in the US, Kenyan Americans have created many organizations. These include the Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council, the Kenya American Association, the Kenyan-Cincinnati Association ("kcaweb", whose goal is to facilitate Kenyan integration in social and cultural scopes in the [[tri-state area]] and promoting awareness of the culture of Kenya in the United States),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kcaweb.org/|title=Kenyan-Cincinnati Association - …Lets grow together!|website=Kcaweb.org|access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> the Minnesota Kenyan International Development Association ("MKIDA", formed in 2003, to improve education and the economy of the Kenyan Americans) and KACA (Kenyan Americans Community Association).
Like other immigrant groups living in the US, Kenyan Americans have created many organizations. These include the Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council, the Kenya American Association, the Kenyan-Cincinnati Association ("kcaweb", whose goal is to facilitate Kenyan integration in social and cultural scopes in the [[tri-state area]] and promoting awareness of the culture of Kenya in the United States),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kcaweb.org/|title=Kenyan-Cincinnati Association - …Lets grow together!|website=Kcaweb.org|access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> the Minnesota Kenyan International Development Association ("MKIDA", formed in 2003, to improve education and the economy of the Kenyan Americans) and KACA (Kenyan Americans Community Association).


The American Kenyan Educational Corporation focuses on funding secondary school students and building schools in Kenya.<ref name="everyculture"/>
The American Kenyan Educational Corporation focuses on funding secondary school students and building schools in Kenya.<ref name="everyculture"/>
Line 75: Line 136:
{{Americans}}
{{Americans}}
<!-- ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE ON THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA. -->
<!-- ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE ON THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA. -->
*[[Barack Obama]], 44th [[President of the United States]]; born to a Kenyan father of [[Luo people|Luo]] descent
*[[Barack Obama]], 44th [[President of the United States]]; born to a [[Barack Obama Sr.|Kenyan father]] of [[Luo people|Luo]] descent
*[[Edi Gathegi]], actor known for recurring character Dr. Jeffrey Cole (aka "Big Love") in the television series ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'', and as [[Laurent (Twilight)|Laurent]] in the films ''[[Twilight (2008 film)|Twilight]]'' and its sequel ''[[The Twilight Saga: New Moon]]''
*[[Edi Gathegi]], actor known for recurring character Dr. Jeffrey Cole (aka "Big Love") in the television series ''[[House (TV series)|House]]'', and as [[Laurent (Twilight)|Laurent]] in the films ''[[Twilight (2008 film)|Twilight]]'' and its sequel ''[[The Twilight Saga: New Moon]]''
*[[Hamida Dakane]] – first Black and first Muslim person to serve in the [[North Dakota Legislative Assembly]]
*[[Bernard Lagat]], athlete for Kenya, now representing the US (of [[Nandi people|Nandi]] [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]] descent)
*[[Bernard Lagat]], athlete for Kenya, now representing the US (of [[Nandi people|Nandi]] [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin]] descent
*[[Tom Morello]], rock guitarist; of [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]], [[Irish people|Irish]], and [[Italian people|Italian]] descent
*[[Tom Morello]], rock guitarist; of [[Kikuyu people|Kikuyu]], [[Irish people|Irish]], and [[Italian people|Italian]] descent
*[[Liza Mucheru-Wisner]], finalist on season 10 of reality show ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. season 10)|The Apprentice]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Donald-Trumps-apprentice-comes-home-/1056-1058596-kp5ikg/index.html|title=Donald Trump's apprentice comes home|newspaper=[[Daily Nation]]}}</ref>
*[[Liza Mucheru-Wisner]], finalist on season 10 of reality show ''[[The Apprentice (U.S. season 10)|The Apprentice]]''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Donald-Trumps-apprentice-comes-home-/1056-1058596-kp5ikg/index.html|title=Donald Trump's apprentice comes home|newspaper=[[Daily Nation]]}}</ref>
*[[Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi]], also known as BMJ Muriithi, [[journalist]] and [[actor]] based in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]; works for Kenyan media company [[Nation Media Group]]
*[[Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi]], also known as BMJ Muriithi, [[journalist]] and [[actor]] based in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]; works for Kenyan media company [[Nation Media Group]]
*[[Isis Nyong'o]], media and technology leader
*[[Isis Nyong'o]], media and technology leader
*[[Mubarak Muyika]], Silicon-valley based Entrepreneur known for founding his first company at 16 and selling it two years later in a six figure deal.
*[[Mubarak Muyika]], Silicon valley–based Entrepreneur known for founding his first company at 16 and selling it two years later in a six figure deal.
*[[Tavia Nyong'o]], [[scholar]] and professor
*[[Tavia Nyong'o]], [[scholar]] and professor
*[[David Otunga]], [[professional wrestler]] for [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]]
*[[David Otunga]], [[professional wrestler]] for [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]]
*[[The Physics (hip hop group)|The Physics]], [[hip hop]] group in [[Seattle, Washington]]; of [[Kenyan]] descent
*[[The Physics (hip hop group)|The Physics]], [[hip hop]] group in [[Seattle, Washington]]; of [[Kenyan]] descent
*[[Mwende Window Snyder]], of (American-[[Kamba people|Kamba]] descent), computer software engineer; senior security project manager at [[Apple Inc.]]
*[[Mwende Window Snyder]], of (American–[[Kamba people|Kamba]] descent), computer software engineer; senior security project manager at [[Apple Inc.]]
*[[Lupita Nyong'o]], Kenyan actress and an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] recipient featured in the movie [[12 Years a Slave]], and many others
*[[Lupita Nyong'o]], Kenyan actress and an [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] recipient featured in the movie [[12 Years a Slave]], and many others
*[[Lawrence Billy Jones III]]-FOX News Conservative commentator,ancestral great grandparents are of [[Kenyan]] descent
*[[Lawrence B. Jones]]-FOX News Conservative commentator, ancestral great grandparents are of [[Kenyan]] descent
*[[KayCyy]], rapper, singer and songwriter; born in Nairobi
*[[Ngugi wa Thiong'o]], author and professor


==See also==
==See also==
Line 94: Line 158:
*[[Southeast Africans in the United States]]
*[[Southeast Africans in the United States]]
*[[Kenyan Canadians]]
*[[Kenyan Canadians]]
*[[Kenyans in China]]
*[[Kenyans in Ireland]]
*[[Kenyans in Ireland]]
*[[Kenyans in France]]
*[[Kenyans in France]]
Line 117: Line 182:
* Rudolph, Laura C. "Kenyan Americans." ''Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America,'' edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 3, Gale, 2014, pp.&nbsp;1–9). [https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3273300107/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=5ea54edd online]
* Rudolph, Laura C. "Kenyan Americans." ''Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America,'' edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 3, Gale, 2014, pp.&nbsp;1–9). [https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3273300107/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=5ea54edd online]


{{African immigration to the United States}}
{{Kenyan diaspora}}
{{Kenyan diaspora}}
{{African immigration to the United States}}
{{Demographics of the United States}}


[[Category:American people of Kenyan descent| ]]
[[Category:Kenyan diaspora in the United States| ]]
[[Category:Kenyan diaspora by country|United States]]
[[Category:Southeast African diaspora in the United States]]
[[Category:Southeast Africans in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 02:07, 30 December 2024

Kenyan Americans
Wamarekani wa Kenya
Total population
estimated 202,638[1]
Regions with significant populations
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington, D.C., Boston, Seattle, New York, Minneapolis. Maryland, North Carolina, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Texas, and Southern United States [2]
Languages
Swahili, English (Kenyan dialect)
Religion
Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam
Related ethnic groups

Kenyan Americans are an ethnic group of Americans of Kenyan descent and ancestry. As of the 2021 census, there were an estimated 94,623 Kenyan-born persons living in the United States. Most Kenyan Americans are concentrated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle, Texas, Maryland, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, and the greater Washington, D.C. area.[3]

History

[edit]

Restrictions against immigration from Asia and Africa led to little voluntary immigration from Kenya until the latter half of the 20th century and low a number of slaves bringing to the Americas in late 18th century and early 19th century at the Atlantic slave trade. Kenyan emigration to the United States then noted a large increase, nearly doubling from the decades before.

This increase was caused by several factors; political instability and a downturn in the economy in the 1980s in Kenya coupled with a high rate of unemployment (over 35 percent) led to a greater desire to immigrate. Some immigrants were also attracted to technology-oriented careers in the United States that boomed in availability in the 1990s and early 2000s.[3]

Demographics

[edit]
St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church in South Lawrence, Massachusetts. This church was founded in 1995 to meet the needs of African immigrants bought this building in Lawrence in 2007. It holds services in English and Kikuyu and is a member of the Anglican Church in North America’s Anglican Diocese in New England.

Kenyan Americans come from ethnic groups such as the Kikuyu, Kisii, Luhya,Maasai people[Maasai] Kamba, Kalenjin, Meru or Luo people.

The largest populations of Kenyans in the United States are found in Texas, Minnesota, Washington, Southern California, Massachusetts, and Maryland (including the greater Washington, D.C. area.) Many Kenyans are also established in Georgia and North Carolina, states with important health care centers.

According to the 2010 census, approximately one-third of persons born in Kenya who are living in the US have become naturalized citizens.[1][3]

African immigrants are among the most educated groups in the United States. Like their recent immigrant counterparts Kenyan Americans give a high value to education.[3]

According to estimates from the Migration Policy Institute for 2015 to 2019, the total number of immigrants from Kenya in the United States was 141,800.[4] The top counties of settlement were as follows:

1) Hennepin County, MN – 6,900

2) King County, WA – 4,500

3) Tarrant County, TX – 4,400

4) Dallas County, TX – 3,700

5) Baltimore County, MD – 3,000

6) Harris County, TX – 2,900

7) Los Angeles County, CA – 2,500

8) Franklin County, OH – 2,500

9) Middlesex County, Mass.– 2,400

10) Collin County, TX – 2,400

11) Pierce County, WA – 2,200

12) Montgomery County, MD – 2,000

13) Cobb County, GA – 2,000

14) Ramsey County, MN – 1,900

15) New Castle County, DE – 1,900

16) Maricopa County, AZ – 1,800

17) Johnson County, KS – 1,800

From the same source for 2017-2021, there was a total of 150,900 Kenyan immigrants nationally, the top counties of settlement being:

1) King County, WA. – 6,800 – 1)

2) Hennepin, MN – 6,800 – (Down 1)

3) Tarrant County, TX – 5,100 – (Same)

4) Dallas County, TX – 3,700 – (Same)

5) Middlesex County, MA – 3,100 – (Up 4)

6) Franklin County, OH – 3,000 – (Up 2)

7) Pierce County, WA – 2,900 – (Up 4)

8) Los Angeles County, CA – 2,800 – (Down 1)

9) Harris County, TX – 2,800 – (Down 3)

10) Baltimore County, MD – 2,700 – 5)

11) ) Ramsey County, MN – 2,200 – (Up 3)

12) Wake County, NC – 2,100 – (New)

13) Maricopa County, AZ – 2,100 – (Up 3)

14) Johnson County, KS – 2,100 – (Up 3)

15) Collin County, TX – 2,100 – (Down 5)

16) Saint Louis County, MO – 1,900 – (New)

17) Montgomery County, MD – 1,900 – (Down 5)

18) Orange County, CA – 1,800

19) New Castle County, DE – 1,800 – (Down 4)

20) Worcester County, MA – 1,500

21) Fort Bend County, TX – 1,500

22) Fairfax County, VA – 1,500

23) Dakota County, MN – 1,500

24) Hudson County, NJ – 1,400

25) Gwinnett County, GA – 1,400

26) Essex County, NJ – 1,400

27) Denton County, TX – 1,400

28) Cobb County, GA – 1,400 – (Down 15)

29) Middlesex County, NJ – 1,200

- Santa Clara County, California, and Cass County, North Dakota, each had 1,100 while Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, had 1,000.

Organizations

[edit]

Like other immigrant groups living in the US, Kenyan Americans have created many organizations. These include the Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council, the Kenya American Association, the Kenyan-Cincinnati Association ("kcaweb", whose goal is to facilitate Kenyan integration in social and cultural scopes in the tri-state area and promoting awareness of the culture of Kenya in the United States),[5] the Minnesota Kenyan International Development Association ("MKIDA", formed in 2003, to improve education and the economy of the Kenyan Americans) and KACA (Kenyan Americans Community Association).

The American Kenyan Educational Corporation focuses on funding secondary school students and building schools in Kenya.[3]

Notable people

[edit]
  • Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States; born to a Kenyan father of Luo descent
  • Edi Gathegi, actor known for recurring character Dr. Jeffrey Cole (aka "Big Love") in the television series House, and as Laurent in the films Twilight and its sequel The Twilight Saga: New Moon
  • Hamida Dakane – first Black and first Muslim person to serve in the North Dakota Legislative Assembly
  • Bernard Lagat, athlete for Kenya, now representing the US (of Nandi Kalenjin descent
  • Tom Morello, rock guitarist; of Kikuyu, Irish, and Italian descent
  • Liza Mucheru-Wisner, finalist on season 10 of reality show The Apprentice[6]
  • Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi, also known as BMJ Muriithi, journalist and actor based in Atlanta, Georgia; works for Kenyan media company Nation Media Group
  • Isis Nyong'o, media and technology leader
  • Mubarak Muyika, Silicon valley–based Entrepreneur known for founding his first company at 16 and selling it two years later in a six figure deal.
  • Tavia Nyong'o, scholar and professor
  • David Otunga, professional wrestler for WWE
  • The Physics, hip hop group in Seattle, Washington; of Kenyan descent
  • Mwende Window Snyder, of (American–Kamba descent), computer software engineer; senior security project manager at Apple Inc.
  • Lupita Nyong'o, Kenyan actress and an Oscar recipient featured in the movie 12 Years a Slave, and many others
  • Lawrence B. Jones-FOX News Conservative commentator, ancestral great grandparents are of Kenyan descent
  • KayCyy, rapper, singer and songwriter; born in Nairobi
  • Ngugi wa Thiong'o, author and professor
  • See also

    [edit]

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ a b Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "American FactFinder - Results". Factfinder2.census.gov. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
    2. ^ "Ten Largest African-Born Countries of Birth in the United States by Selected Metropolitan Statistical Areas: 2008–2012" (PDF). census.gov. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
    3. ^ a b c d e "Kenyan Americans - History, Modern era, Significant immigration waves, Acculturation and Assimilation". Everyculture.com. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
    4. ^ "U.S. Immigrant Population by State and County". migrationpolicy.org. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
    5. ^ "Kenyan-Cincinnati Association - …Lets grow together!". Kcaweb.org. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
    6. ^ "Donald Trump's apprentice comes home". Daily Nation.

    Further reading

    [edit]
    • Azevedo, Mario. Kenya: The Land, The People, and the Nation (Carolina Academic Press, 1993).
    • Branch, Daniel. Kenya: Between Hope and Despair, 1963–2011 (Yale UP, 2011).
    • Maxon, Robert M., and Thomas P. Ofcansky. Historical Dictionary of Kenya (2nd ed. Scarecrow Press, 2000).
    • Rudolph, Laura C. "Kenyan Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 3, Gale, 2014, pp. 1–9). online