What share of Kenya's population lives in Nairobi?

That is about 8.6% of Kenya's 2019 population as estimated by the World Bank (51.20 million).

Nairobi: population and official figures

Population (urban agglomeration)

4,395,749

24 August 2019

What is the population of Nairobi?

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, had 4,395,749 inhabitants (urban agglomeration) on 24 August 2019, according to a complete census (people present) reported to the United Nations.

Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copy

How does Nairobi rank among cities in Kenya?

Of the 22 cities the UN table lists for Kenya (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.

Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copy

How many women and men live in Nairobi?

Women and girls made up 50.1% of residents (2,203,741 female, 2,191,765 male).

Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copy

Notes from the UN table: The figure for both sexes includes intersex persons.

Who runs Nairobi?

In Kenya, cities and towns are run by cities, municipalities and towns: Boards appointed by the governor and approved by the county assembly (not elected). Urban management delegated by the county; 4 cities and 55 municipalities by 2022.

How local power works in Kenya

Cities of a similar size in Kenya

Mombasa 1,208,112
Nakuru 570,614
Ruiru 490,035
Eldoret 475,659
Kisumu 397,853
Kikuyu 323,825

Up a level: all cities in Kenya · Kenya · government and power

Sources

United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)

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