<Tr> <Th> First ascent </Th> <Td> 1899 by Halford Mackinder, with guides César Ollier and Joseph Brocherel </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Easiest route </Th> <Td> Rock climb </Td> </Tr> <P> Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second - highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro . The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft)), Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft)) and Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft)). Mount Kenya is located in the former Eastern province of Kenya, now the Eastern region of Kenya, about 16.5 kilometres (10.3 mi) south of the equator, around 150 kilometres (93 mi) north - northeast of the capital Nairobi . Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya . </P> <P> Mount Kenya is a stratovolcano created approximately 3 million years after the opening of the East African rift . Before glaciation, it was 7,000 m (23,000 ft) high . It was covered by an ice cap for thousands of years . This has resulted in very eroded slopes and numerous valleys radiating from the centre . There are currently 11 small glaciers . The forested slopes are an important source of water for much of Kenya . </P>

What is the highest peak of mountain kenya