Border history · 1888–2023

Kenya borders over time

CShapes records 10 changes to the borders of Kenya between 1888 and 2023. It has been independent since December 12, 1963. Its territory covers 581,894 km², more than the 469,658 km² it covered in 1888. The largest single change came on March 24, 1891, when it gained about 571,826 km².

Open full mapAll countries
Border changes
10
Area today
581,894 km²
Largest change
+571,826 km² (1891)
Status
Independent since 1963
December 12, 1963 – presentChoose a period to see its borders. The dashed line is the period before.

Timeline of Kenya's borders

Each period is one border version in CShapes, with its area and the change from the period before.

  1. October 15, 1888 – March 23, 1891

    469,658 km²First recorded versionRuled by United KingdomWorld map in 1889

  2. March 24, 1891 – June 7, 1894

    1,041,484 km²+571,826 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1891

  3. June 8, 1894 – May 14, 1902

    660,123 km²−381,361 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1894

  4. May 15, 1902 – December 31, 1906

    772,553 km²+112,430 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1902

  5. January 1, 1907 – December 5, 1907

    772,553 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1907

  6. December 6, 1907 – April 20, 1914

    635,870 km²−136,683 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1908

  7. April 21, 1914 – July 22, 1920

    635,870 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1914

  8. July 23, 1920 – June 30, 1924

    635,870 km²±0 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1921

  9. July 1, 1924 – September 26, 1926

    541,465 km²−94,405 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1924

  10. September 27, 1926 – December 11, 1963

    581,894 km²+40,429 km²Ruled by United KingdomWorld map in 1927

  11. December 12, 1963 – present

    581,894 km²±0 km²IndependentWorld map in 1964

What changed

Independence, transfers between rulers, and border changes recorded for this country.

  1. Kenya appears as a territory of United Kingdom.
  2. Kenya gains about 571,826 km² of territory.
  3. Kenya loses about 381,361 km² of territory.
  4. Kenya gains about 112,430 km² of territory.
  5. Kenya loses about 136,683 km² of territory.
  6. Kenya loses about 94,406 km² of territory.
  7. Kenya gains about 40,429 km² of territory.
  8. Kenya becomes independent from United Kingdom.