Economy, jobs and prices in Kakamega, Kenya: official figures
Kakamega's economy (Gross County Product) was worth KSh 276.5 billion in 2022 at current prices, 2.3% of the 47 counties' combined KSh 12.29 trillion, or about KSh 140,600 per resident; 16th lowest of Kenya's 47 counties per person (all counties: KSh 242,700).
How much do households in Kakamega spend?
Households in Kakamega spent an average of KSh 6,730 a month per adult equivalent on food and other goods in 2022, 23rd highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: KSh 8,030); food took 60.8% of spending.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Kakamega have work?
46.8% of women and 96.6% of men aged 15-49 in Kakamega were working when surveyed in 2022 (Kenya: 52.4% and 77.1%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyDo people in Kakamega use mobile money and the internet?
74.2% of women aged 15-49 in Kakamega had used a bank account or a mobile phone for money transactions in the previous year and 69.0% owned a mobile phone (2022; Kenya: 79.3% and 77.5%); 34.4% had used the internet in the previous year (Kenya: 44.2%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyHow many homes in Kakamega have electricity?
39.8% of Kakamega's 484,205 households got their lighting from the national electricity grid in the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey, 19th lowest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 57.7%); 55.6% relied on solar panels or solar-charged lamps.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Kakamega have piped water?
15.6% of households in Kakamega had piped water in 2023/24, 13th lowest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 44.9%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyDo people in Kakamega own or rent their homes?
78.9% of households in Kakamega owned their home in 2023/24 and 16.4% paid rent (Kenya: 61.3% and 33.4%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- Its output grew 29.0% in money terms between 2020 and 2022, before allowing for inflation (all counties: 24.6%). Source: Commission on Revenue Allocation · saved copy
How Kakamega compares with other counties
Gross County Product per person, current prices (2022)
Kakamega ranks 32 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross County Product per person, current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Kajiado | KSh 151,400 |
| 30 | Marsabit | KSh 146,800 |
| 31 | Bungoma | KSh 145,400 |
| 32 | Kakamega | KSh 140,600 |
| 33 | Homa Bay | KSh 134,300 |
| 34 | Kitui | KSh 133,100 |
| 35 | Siaya | KSh 131,400 |
Monthly consumption per adult equivalent (2022)
Kakamega ranks 23 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Monthly consumption per adult equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Murang'a | KSh 6,872 |
| 21 | Homa Bay | KSh 6,868 |
| 22 | Isiolo | KSh 6,732 |
| 23 | Kakamega | KSh 6,730 |
| 24 | Kericho | KSh 6,687 |
| 25 | Kilifi | KSh 6,537 |
| 26 | Nyamira | KSh 6,463 |
Households lit by the national grid (2023/24)
Kakamega ranks 29 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households lit by the national grid |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Vihiga | 43.4% |
| 27 | Kilifi | 43.0% |
| 28 | Tana River | 43.0% |
| 29 | Kakamega | 39.8% |
| 30 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | 37.8% |
| 31 | Bomet | 37.0% |
| 32 | Baringo | 36.5% |
More on Kakamega: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Kenya
Sources
- 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…)
- 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…)
- 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…)
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