Wikipedia
Kenema is the third largest city in Sierra Leone (after Freetown and Bo) and the largest city in the Eastern Province. The city is a major trade center and is the capital and largest city of Kenema District. The municipality of Kenema had a population of 128,402 in the 2004 census and a more recent estimate of 188,463 . Kenema lies approximately south-east of Freetown and about south of Bo. Kenema is the second largest city and second largest commercial center in the Southeastern region of Sierra Leone, after Bo.
Kenema is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Sierra Leone and is home to significant numbers of many of the country's ethnic groups. The Krio language is by far the most widely spoken language in the city, and is the primary language of communication in the city.
The city of Kenema is one of Sierra Leone's six municipalities and is governed by a directly elected city council form of government, headed by a mayor, in whom executive authority is vested. The mayor is responsible for the general management of the city.
Like the rest of Sierra Leone, football is by far the most popular sport in the city. The Sierra Leone professional club called the Kamboi Eagles, which is based in Kenema, represent the city in the Sierra Leone National Premier League. The city is the hometown of one of Sierra Leone's most internationally known footballer Mohamed Kallon. Other notable Sierra Leonean international footballers from Kenema include Kei Kamara, Paul Kpaka, Kemokai Kallon and Musa Kallon.
The city grew along with a now-closed railway, around the logging and carpentry industries, and recently with diamond mines first discovered in 1931.