Regions of Kenya: population and official figures
Kenya is divided into 54 regions. The largest by population is Rift Valley (former province) with 14,473,000 people (14.2% of the total); the smallest is Lamu with 176,000. Kenya has had 47 counties since the 2010 Constitution took effect in 2013; the pages for the eight former provinces remain and add up their counties. Population figures are KNBS projections for 2025 from the 2019 census. County pages add poverty and spending (KNBS Kenya Poverty Report 2022), health, schooling and living conditions (Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022), housing (KNBS Kenya Housing Survey 2023/24), and county output, land area and revenue shares (Commission on Revenue Allocation, using KNBS Gross County Product figures).
Who governs Kenya's regions?
Counties (47): Governor and deputy elected on a joint ticket (max two five-year terms); county assembly of members (MCAs) elected from wards plus nominated members; county executive committee nominated by the governor and approved by the assembly. Health, agriculture, county roads, pre-primary education, water, trade licensing, planning (Fourth Schedule).
How local power works in Kenya · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 54 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rift Valley (former province) | 14,473,000 | 2025 | +2.0% |
| 2 | Eastern (former province) | 7,464,000 | 2025 | +1.2% |
| 3 | Nyanza (former province) | 6,992,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 4 | Central (former province) | 6,128,000 | 2025 | +1.5% |
| 5 | Western (former province) | 5,560,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 6 | Coast (former province) | 4,912,000 | 2025 | +2.0% |
| 7 | Nairobi City | 4,906,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 8 | North Eastern (former province) | 2,893,000 | 2025 | +2.4% |
| 9 | Kiambu | 2,754,000 | 2025 | +1.9% |
| 10 | Nakuru | 2,445,000 | 2025 | +2.0% |
| 11 | Kakamega | 2,073,000 | 2025 | +1.7% |
| 12 | Bungoma | 1,845,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 13 | Meru | 1,666,000 | 2025 | +1.2% |
| 14 | Kilifi | 1,637,000 | 2025 | +1.9% |
| 15 | Machakos | 1,518,000 | 2025 | +1.0% |
| 16 | Kisii | 1,370,000 | 2025 | +0.9% |
| 17 | Mombasa | 1,368,000 | 2025 | +2.1% |
| 18 | Narok | 1,355,000 | 2025 | +2.6% |
| 19 | Kajiado | 1,328,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 20 | Uasin Gishu | 1,307,000 | 2025 | +1.9% |
| 21 | Migori | 1,292,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 22 | Kisumu | 1,290,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 23 | Homa Bay | 1,278,000 | 2025 | +1.8% |
| 24 | Kitui | 1,259,000 | 2025 | +1.2% |
| 25 | Murang'a | 1,136,000 | 2025 | +1.1% |
| 26 | Trans Nzoia | 1,108,000 | 2025 | +1.7% |
| 27 | Siaya | 1,097,000 | 2025 | +1.8% |
| 28 | Turkana | 1,074,000 | 2025 | +2.5% |
| 29 | Makueni | 1,065,000 | 2025 | +1.0% |
| 30 | Mandera | 1,007,000 | 2025 | +2.4% |
| 31 | Busia | 1,006,000 | 2025 | +1.9% |
| 32 | Kwale | 988,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 33 | Nandi | 982,000 | 2025 | +1.6% |
| 34 | Kericho | 980,000 | 2025 | +1.3% |
| 35 | Garissa | 971,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 36 | Bomet | 965,000 | 2025 | +1.3% |
| 37 | Wajir | 915,000 | 2025 | +2.5% |
| 38 | Nyeri | 853,000 | 2025 | +1.1% |
| 39 | Baringo | 764,000 | 2025 | +2.0% |
| 40 | Nyandarua | 721,000 | 2025 | +1.8% |
| 41 | West Pokot | 706,000 | 2025 | +2.2% |
| 42 | Nyamira | 665,000 | 2025 | +0.6% |
| 43 | Kirinyaga | 664,000 | 2025 | +0.9% |
| 44 | Embu | 662,000 | 2025 | +1.1% |
| 45 | Vihiga | 636,000 | 2025 | +0.8% |
| 46 | Laikipia | 583,000 | 2025 | +1.9% |
| 47 | Marsabit | 539,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
| 48 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | 509,000 | 2025 | +1.4% |
| 49 | Tharaka-Nithi | 425,000 | 2025 | +0.9% |
| 50 | Taita-Taveta | 373,000 | 2025 | +1.4% |
| 51 | Tana River | 370,000 | 2025 | +2.5% |
| 52 | Samburu | 367,000 | 2025 | +2.5% |
| 53 | Isiolo | 330,000 | 2025 | +2.2% |
| 54 | Lamu | 176,000 | 2025 | +2.3% |
Cities: the largest cities of Kenya.
More on Kenya: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (National Information Platform for Food Security and Nutrition): 2019 Census Data and Projections by County (2019 census count and projections for 2020-2045), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 fc7c1a52a02c…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: The Kenya Poverty Report 2022 (2022 Kenya Continuous Household Survey): Tables 3.2 and 4.6, Annex Tables A1, B1, C1 and E.2, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e3298f81209a…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF): Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Volume 1: county tables (C tables), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 202dd70451a0…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey Basic Report: Tables 3.6, 5.10 and 5.18 by county, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 52fcb74800ea…)
- Commission on Revenue Allocation: Recommendation on the Basis for Equitable Sharing of Revenue between the National and County Governments for FY 2026/27, Tables 6.1 and 6.2, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 38189f669f70…)
- Commission on Revenue Allocation: Recommendation concerning the Fourth Basis for Revenue Sharing among County Governments, FY 2025/26-2029/30: Table 2-7 and Appendix I (KNBS census, poverty and Gross County Product data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 76961d1ebf71…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.