Kenya announced on Tuesday its population stands at 38.6 million after a national census conducted last year, marking an increase of around 10 million since the last census in 1999.
Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya said the increase of about one million people per year puts pressure on resources and he urged for more investment and family planning to improve the welfare of the 38,610,097 Kenyans.
"This high rate of population growth has adverse effects on spending on infrastructure, health, education, environment, water and other social and economic sectors," Oparanya said while announcing the census results.
"Investment will be required in family planning services. In fact we are launching aggressive family planning programmes this year... to improve the welfare of Kenyans," he added.
Only 30 percent of Kenyans -- mainly those in urban areas -- have access to piped water, with other water sources being streams, dams and boreholes, while 74.5 percent use the bush as toilets.
The new figures also showed a 50-50 split between men and women and its five most populous ethnic groups being the Kikuyu, Luhya, Kalenjin, Luo and Kamba.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
