Business and Personal LawChapter 8: Personal PropertyGlobal LawKenya The Republic of Kenya is located in Eastern Africa. It is bounded on the north by Sudan and Ethiopia, on the east by Somalia and the Indian Ocean, and on the south by Tanzania. The equator passes through the center of the country. Kenya was a British colony that gained its independence in 1963. Since its independence from the United Kingdom on December 12, 1963, Kenya has been very stable both politically and economically in spite of the crises in neighboring countries. Paleontologists have discovered many fossils of prehistoric animals in Kenya, including one of the rarest dinosaur fossil sites in Africa. Scientists believe that some of these fossils date back 200 million years. Kenya‘s climate is tropical, particularly on the coast with its hot and humid weather. The temperature inland is also very hot, but there is much less rain and humidity. Kenya is a republic and has a president who serves for five years and can be re-elected to a second term. The executive branch of the government has the most power, since the president serves as both head of state and head of government. In order to become president, the candidate must run for the presidency and for a seat in the National Assembly, and must win both elections. The National Assembly, or parliament, consists of 210 representatives, including 12 members who are nominated by the president, the attorney general, and the speaker of the house. All judges are appointed by the president. Kenya's legal system is based on English common law, tribal law, and Islamic law. There are no jury trials in Kenya. |  |
