Discover the 47 Counties In Kenya In Order
The 2010 Constitution of Kenya introduced the Counties of Kenya (Swahili: Kaunti za Kenya) as decentralized units of government, replacing the previous provincial system.
These counties, governed under Chapter Eleven of the Constitution, the Fourth Schedule, and Senate legislation, also serve as single-member constituencies for Senate and National Assembly elections.
As of 2022, there are 47 counties, aligned with 1992 district boundaries.
Following national administrative reorganization, each county has a county commissioner appointed by the national government to facilitate collaboration with county authorities.
County governments were established in all 47 counties after the March 2013 general elections, as outlined in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
Here’s a list of counties, categorized by their former provinces, along with their respective areas and populations according to the 2009 and 2019 censuses:
The 47 Counties In Kenya In Order
| Code | County | Former Province | Area (km2) | Population (2009 Census) | Population (2019 Census) | Capital | Postal Abbreviations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mombasa | Coast | 212.5 | 939,370 | 1,208,333 | Mombasa | MSA |
| 2 | Kwale | Coast | 8,270.3 | 649,931 | 866,820 | Kwale | KWL |
| 3 | Kilifi | Coast | 12,245.9 | 1,109,735 | 1,453,787 | Kilifi | KLF |
| 4 | Tana River | Coast | 35,375.8 | 240,075 | 315,943 | Hola | TRV |
| 5 | Lamu | Coast | 6,497.7 | 101,539 | 143,920 | Lamu | LMU |
| 6 | Taita–Taveta | Coast | 17,083.9 | 284,657 | 340,671 | Wundanyi | TVT |
| 7 | Garissa | North Eastern | 45,720.2 | 623,060 | 841,353 | Garissa | GRS |
| 8 | Wajir | North Eastern | 55,840.6 | 661,941 | 781,263 | Wajir | WJR |
| 9 | Mandera | North Eastern | 25,797.7 | 1,025,756 | 867,457 | Mandera | MDR |
| 10 | Marsabit | Eastern | 66,923.1 | 291,166 | 459,785 | Marsabit | MRS |
| 11 | Isiolo | Eastern | 25,336.1 | 143,294 | 268,002 | Isiolo | ISL |
| 12 | Meru | Eastern | 7,003.1 | 1,356,301 | 1,545,714 | Meru | MRU |
| 13 | Tharaka-Nithi | Eastern | 2,609.5 | 365,330 | 393,177 | Kathwana | TNT |
| 14 | Embu | Eastern | 2,555.9 | 516,212 | 608,599 | Embu | EMB |
| 15 | Kitui | Eastern | 24,385.1 | 1,012,709 | 1,136,187 | Kitui | KTU |
| 16 | Machakos | Eastern | 5,952.9 | 1,098,584 | 1,421,932 | Machakos | MCK |
| 17 | Makueni | Eastern | 8,008.9 | 884,527 | 987,653 | Wote | MKN |
| 18 | Nyandarua | Central | 3,107.7 | 596,268 | 638,289 | Ol Kalou | NDR |
| 19 | Nyeri | Central | 2,361.0 | 693,558 | 759,164 | Nyeri | NYR |
| 20 | Kirinyaga | Central | 1,205.4 | 528,054 | 610,411 | Kerugoya | KRG |
| 21 | Murang’a | Central | 2,325.8 | 942,581 | 1,056,640 | Murang’a | MRG |
| 22 | Kiambu | Central | 2,449.2 | 1,623,282 | 2,417,735 | Kiambu | KMB |
| 23 | Turkana | Rift Valley | 98,597.8 | 1,100,399 | 1,504,976 | Lodwar | TRK |
| 24 | West Pokot | Rift Valley | 8,418.2 | 512,690 | 621,241 | Kapenguria | WPK |
| 25 | Samburu | Rift Valley | 20,182.5 | 223,947 | 310,327 | Maralal | SBR |
| 26 | Trans-Nzoia | Rift Valley | 2,469.9 | 818,757 | 990,341 | Kitale | TNZ |
| 27 | Uasin Gishu | Rift Valley | 2,955.3 | 894,179 | 1,163,186 | Eldoret | UGS |
| 28 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | Rift Valley | 3,049.7 | 369,998 | 454,480 | Iten | EMK |
| 29 | Nandi | Rift Valley | 2,884.5 | 752,965 | 885,711 | Kapsabet | NDI |
| 30 | Baringo | Rift Valley | 11,075.3 | 555,561 | 666,763 | Kabarnet | BRG |
| 31 | Laikipia | Rift Valley | 8,696.1 | 399,227 | 518,560 | Rumuruti | LKP |
| 32 | Nakuru | Rift Valley | 7,509.5 | 1,603,325 | 2,162,202 | Nakuru | NKR |
| 33 | Narok | Rift Valley | 17,921.2 | 850,920 | 1,157,873 | Narok | NRK |
| 34 | Kajiado | Rift Valley | 21,292.7 | 687,312 | 1,117,840 | Kajiado | KJD |
| 35 | Kericho | Rift Valley | 2,454.5 | 752,396 | 901,777 | Kericho | KRC |
| 36 | Bomet | Rift Valley | 1,997.9 | 730,129 | 875,689 | Bomet | BMT |
| 37 | Kakamega | Western | 3,033.8 | 1,660,651 | 1,867,579 | Kakamega | KKG |
| 38 | Vihiga | Western | 531.3 | 554,622 | 590,013 | Mbale | VHG |
| 39 | Bungoma | Western | 2,206.9 | 1,375,063 | 1,670,570 | Bungoma | BGM |
| 40 | Busia | Western | 1,628.4 | 743,946 | 893,681 | Busia | BSA |
| 41 | Siaya | Nyanza | 2,496.1 | 842,304 | 993,183 | Siaya | SYA |
| 42 | Kisumu | Nyanza | 2,009.5 | 968,909 | 1,155,574 | Kisumu | KSM |
| 43 | Homa Bay | Nyanza | 3,154.7 | 963,794 | 1,131,950 | Homa Bay | HBY |
| 44 | Migori | Nyanza | 2,586.4 | 917,170 | 1,116,436 | Migori | MGR |
| 45 | Kisii | Nyanza | 1,317.9 | 1,152,282 | 1,266,860 | Kisii | KSI |
| 46 | Nyamira | Nyanza | 912.5 | 598,252 | 605,576 | Nyamira | NMR |
| 47 | Nairobi | Nairobi | 694.9 | 3,138,369 | 4,397,073 | Nairobi | NBI |
| 581,309.0 | 38,610,997 | 47,564,296 | Nairobi |
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Responsibilities Of County governments In Kenya
The County governments in Kenya have a range of responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution.
These include legislative duties, executive functions, and specific tasks assigned in the fourth schedule.
Some key functions include:
- Agriculture, including crop and animal husbandry
- Livestock-related services such as sale yards and abattoirs
- Disease control for plants and animals
- Management of fisheries
- Provision of health services and facilities
- Control of food sales and licensing
- Waste management and disposal
- Cultural activities and amenities
- Regulation of betting and gambling
- Transportation infrastructure like roads and street lighting
- Trade development and market regulation
- Planning and development initiatives
- Education and childcare services
- Implementation of national policies on natural resources
- Coordination of local governance and community participation
Additionally, counties are responsible for fire fighting management and coordination, as mandated by the Constitution.
They play a crucial role in ensuring effective governance and service delivery at the local level.
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County Transport
Oversight of county roads, street lighting, traffic management, parking, and public transportation services, including ferries and harbors, excluding international and national shipping regulation.
Trade Development and Regulation
Facilitation of markets, issuance of trade licenses (excluding professional regulation), ensuring fair trade practices, promoting local tourism, and supporting cooperative societies.
County Planning and Development
Conducting statistical analysis, land surveying, resource mapping, managing boundaries and fencing, overseeing housing projects, and regulating electricity, gas, and energy distribution.
Education and Childcare
Administration of pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centers, and childcare facilities, along with adult education programs and national exam registration.
Policy Implementation
Implementation of national government policies on natural resources, environmental conservation, soil and water conservation;
Forestry, and public works, including stormwater management, water, and sanitation services, fire fighting, and disaster management.
Coordination
Ensuring community participation in local governance, assisting in building administrative capacity at the local level, and fostering effective governance practices.
