Provinces
The population of the former provinces of Kenya.according to census results and latest official projections.
| Name | Abbr. | Status | Capital | Area A (km²) | Population Census (Cf) 1979-08-24 | Population Census (Cf) 1989-08-24 | Population Census (C) 1999-08-24 | Population Census (C) 2009-08-24 | Population Projection (P) 2015-07-01 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | KEN | Rep | Nairobi | 581,313 | 15,327,061 | 21,443,636 | 28,686,607 | 38,610,097 | 44,156,600 | |||
| Central | CE | Prov | Nyeri | 13,164 | 2,345,833 | 3,116,703 | 3,724,159 | 4,383,743 | 4,947,400 | 1316400 | → | |
| Coast | CO | Prov | Mombasa | 82,893 | 1,342,794 | 1,829,191 | 2,487,264 | 3,325,307 | 4,054,900 | 8289300 | → | |
| Eastern | EA | Prov | Embu | 153,404 | 2,719,851 | 3,768,677 | 4,631,779 | 5,668,123 | 6,083,700 | 15340400 | → | |
| Nairobi | NA | CpDst | Nairobi | 695 | 827,775 | 1,324,570 | 2,143,254 | 3,138,369 | 4,232,100 | 69500 | → | |
| North Eastern | NE | Prov | Garissa | 126,852 | 373,787 | 371,391 | 962,143 | 2,310,757 | 1,572,200 | 12685200 | → | |
| Nyanza | NY | Prov | Kisumu | 12,613 | 2,643,956 | 3,507,162 | 4,392,196 | 5,442,711 | 6,222,700 | 1261300 | → | |
| Rift Valley | RV | Prov | Nakuru | 183,383 | 3,240,402 | 4,981,613 | 6,987,036 | 10,006,805 | 12,231,900 | 18338300 | → | |
| Western | WE | Prov | Kakamega | 8,309 | 1,832,663 | 2,544,329 | 3,358,776 | 4,334,282 | 4,811,600 | 830900 | → |
- There is a considerable discrepency between the census population and the projected population of North Eastern. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, this effect is caused by applying strong smoothing techniques that are necessary for compensating the highly inaccurate census results of this province. However, the irregularities of those census figures may also result from refugees from Somalia.
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (web).
Major Cities
| Name | Adm. | Population Census (C) 2009-08-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | NA | 3,133,518 |
| 2 | Mombasa | CO | 915,101 |
| 3 | Nakuru | RV | 286,411 |
| 4 | Kisumu | NY | 259,258 |
| 5 | Eldoret | RV | 252,061 |
| 6 | Ruiru | CE | 236,961 |
| 7 | Kikuyu | CE | 190,208 |
| 8 | Thika | CE | 136,576 |
| 9 | Mavoko | EA | 110,396 |
| 10 | Garissa | NE | 110,383 |
| 11 | Ngong | RV | 104,073 |
Contents: Cities, Municipalities, Towns & Urban Centers
The population of all Kenyan cities, municipalities, towns and urban centers with more than 10,000 inhabitants by census years.
| Name | Status | Adm. | Population Census (Cf) 1969-08-24 | Population Census (Cf) 1979-08-24 | Population Census (Cf) 1989-08-24 | Population Census (C) 1999-08-24 | Population Census (C) 2009-08-24 | Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awendo | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 13,760 | 17,992 | 0 | |
| Bondo | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 7,797 | 14,745 | 0 | |
| Bungoma | Mun | WE | 4,401 | 25,161 | 26,805 | 44,196 | 55,867 | 0 | |
| Busia | Mun | WE | 1,057 | 5,266 | 20,781 | 30,777 | 40,740 | 0 | |
| Elburgon | RV | 5,343 | ... | 12,072 | 23,173 | 32,654 | 0 | ||
| Eldama Ravine | Town | RV | 2,692 | ... | 6,831 | 10,518 | 17,872 | 0 | |
| Eldoret | Mun | RV | 18,196 | 50,503 | 111,882 | 167,016 | 252,061 | 0 | |
| Elwak | UC | NE | ... | ... | ... | 11,128 | 24,368 | 0 | |
| Embu | Mun | EA | 3,928 | 15,986 | 26,525 | 31,500 | 35,736 | 0 | |
| Garissa | Mun | NE | ... | 14,076 | 31,319 | 50,955 | 110,383 | 0 | |
| Gilgil | UC | RV | 4,178 | 9,103 | 14,034 | 20,362 | 35,293 | 0 | |
| Githunguri | UC | CE | ... | ... | ... | 5,370 | 10,007 | 0 | |
| Hola | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 11,693 | 0 | |
| Homa Bay | Mun | NY | 3,252 | 7,489 | 23,335 | 32,174 | 28,361 | 0 | |
| Isiolo | UC | EA | 8,201 | 11,331 | 16,824 | 28,854 | 44,154 | 0 | |
| Juja | UC | CE | ... | ... | ... | 6,009 | 40,446 | 0 | |
| Kabarnet | Mun | RV | ... | ... | ... | 9,583 | 17,645 | 0 | |
| Kajiado | Town | RV | 1,755 | ... | ... | 9,128 | 14,631 | 0 | |
| Kakamega | Mun | WE | 6,244 | 32,025 | ... | 57,128 | 69,502 | 0 | |
| Kakuma | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | 9,107 | 31,962 | 0 | |
| Kangundo-Tala | Town | EA | 1,540 | ... | ... | 9,122 | 13,356 | 0 | |
| Kapenguria | Mun | RV | 1,790 | ... | 7,729 | 12,984 | 20,880 | 0 | |
| Kapsabet | Mun | RV | 2,298 | ... | 10,537 | 17,918 | 22,804 | 0 | |
| Karuri | Town | CE | ... | ... | 14,929 | 19,746 | 99,739 | 0 | |
| Kehancha | Mun | NY | ... | ... | ... | 11,819 | 30,109 | 0 | |
| Kericho | Mun | RV | 10,144 | ... | ... | 30,023 | 42,029 | 0 | |
| Kerugoya/Kutus | Mun | CE | 1,938 | ... | 9,585 | 14,056 | 16,369 | 0 | |
| Kiambu | Mun | CE | 2,776 | ... | 6,522 | 13,814 | 76,093 | 0 | |
| Kikuyu | Town | CE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 190,208 | 0 | |
| Kilgoris | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | 5,051 | 9,865 | 0 | |
| Kilifi | Town | CO | 2,662 | ... | 14,145 | 30,394 | 44,257 | 0 | |
| Kimilili | Mun | WE | 723 | ... | 5,483 | 10,261 | 41,115 | 0 | |
| Kiserian | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 14,243 | 0 | |
| Kisii | Mun | NY | 6,080 | 29,661 | 44,149 | ... | 61,892 | 0 | |
| Kisumu | Mun | NY | 32,431 | 152,643 | 192,733 | 194,390 | 259,258 | 0 | |
| Kitale | Mun | RV | 11,573 | 28,327 | 56,218 | 63,245 | 75,782 | 0 | |
| Kitengela | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 58,167 | 0 | |
| Kitui | Mun | EA | 3,071 | ... | 9,305 | 13,244 | 20,419 | 0 | |
| Lamu | UC | CO | 7,403 | ... | ... | ... | 13,243 | 0 | |
| Limuru | Mun | CE | 1,286 | ... | ... | ... | 61,336 | 0 | |
| Lodwar | Mun | RV | ... | ... | 13,619 | 16,981 | 45,368 | 0 | |
| Lokichogio | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 17,695 | 0 | |
| Machakos | Mun | EA | 6,312 | ... | ... | 28,891 | 41,917 | 0 | |
| Madogo | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 13,240 | 0 | |
| Mai Mahiu | UC | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 11,230 | 0 | |
| Mairo Inya | UC | CE | ... | ... | ... | 3,580 | 9,858 | 0 | |
| Malaba | Town | WE | ... | ... | ... | 7,302 | 16,480 | 0 | |
| Malindi | Mun | CO | 10,757 | 23,275 | 34,047 | 53,805 | 84,150 | 0 | |
| Mandera | Town | NE | 946 | 13,126 | 22,699 | 30,433 | 57,692 | 0 | |
| Maralal | Town | RV | 3,878 | ... | 8,962 | 16,281 | 15,860 | 0 | |
| Mariakani | Town | CO | ... | ... | 8,372 | 10,987 | 24,055 | 0 | |
| Marsabit | UC | EA | 6,635 | ... | ... | 13,862 | 14,907 | 0 | |
| Masalani | UC | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 14,012 | 0 | |
| Matuu | Town | EA | ... | ... | ... | 5,321 | 10,804 | 0 | |
| Maua | Mun | EA | ... | ... | ... | 9,763 | 15,536 | 0 | |
| Mavoko (Athi River) | Mun | EA | ... | ... | ... | 22,167 | 110,396 | 0 | |
| Mbita Point | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 6,103 | 10,753 | 0 | |
| Meru | Mun | EA | 4,475 | ... | ... | ... | 38,833 | 0 | |
| Migori | Mun | NY | 2,066 | ... | 12,274 | 31,644 | 53,100 | 0 | |
| Moi's Bridge | UC | WE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 10,858 | 0 | |
| Molo | Town | RV | 4,240 | ... | 11,175 | 20,944 | 32,576 | 0 | |
| Mombasa | City | CO | 247,073 | 341,148 | 461,753 | 665,018 | 915,101 | 0 | |
| Moyale | UC | EA | ... | ... | 7,049 | 13,944 | 27,943 | 0 | |
| Msambweni | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 11,985 | 0 | |
| Mtwapa | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | 18,397 | 48,625 | 0 | |
| Muhoroni | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 13,664 | 14,806 | 0 | |
| Mumias | Mun | WE | 697 | ... | 23,668 | 36,158 | 38,960 | 0 | |
| Murang'a | Mun | CE | 4,750 | 15,290 | 21,650 | ... | 23,949 | 0 | |
| Mwingi | Town | EA | ... | ... | 3,742 | 10,138 | 15,970 | 0 | |
| Nairobi | City | NA | 509,286 | 827,775 | 1,324,570 | 2,143,254 | 3,133,518 | 0 | |
| Naivasha | Mun | RV | 6,920 | 11,491 | ... | 32,222 | 91,993 | 0 | |
| Nakuru | Mun | RV | 47,151 | 92,851 | 163,927 | 219,366 | 286,411 | 0 | |
| Nanyuki | Mun | RV | 11,624 | 18,986 | 24,070 | 31,577 | 31,826 | 0 | |
| Narok | Town | RV | 2,608 | ... | 11,629 | 24,091 | 38,653 | 0 | |
| Ngong | UC | RV | 1,583 | ... | 8,775 | 20,701 | 104,073 | 0 | |
| Njoro | UC | RV | 3,037 | ... | ... | 16,510 | 23,551 | 0 | |
| Nyahururu | Mun | RV | 7,602 | 11,277 | 14,829 | 24,751 | 31,952 | 0 | |
| Nyamira | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 9,971 | 12,719 | 0 | |
| Nyeri | Mun | CE | 10,004 | 35,753 | ... | 46,969 | 63,626 | 0 | |
| Ongata Rongai | UC | RV | ... | ... | 17,288 | 35,874 | 40,178 | 0 | |
| Rhamu | UC | NE | ... | ... | ... | 7,437 | 24,037 | 0 | |
| Rongo | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 6,175 | 12,355 | 0 | |
| Ruiru | Mun | CE | 1,674 | 1,718 | 23,316 | 79,741 | 236,961 | 0 | |
| Sagana | Town | CE | 718 | ... | ... | 3,031 | 9,889 | 0 | |
| Siaya | Mun | NY | ... | 4,022 | ... | 13,787 | 20,923 | 0 | |
| Tabaka | Town | NY | ... | ... | ... | 5,067 | 12,700 | 0 | |
| Takaba | UC | NE | ... | ... | ... | 2,931 | 21,474 | 0 | |
| Taveta | Town | CO | ... | ... | ... | 11,495 | 17,465 | 0 | |
| Thika | Mun | CE | 18,387 | 41,324 | 57,603 | 82,665 | 136,576 | 0 | |
| Ukunda | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | 43,946 | 62,529 | 0 | |
| Usenge | UC | NY | ... | ... | ... | 5,771 | 9,830 | 0 | |
| Vihiga | Mun | WE | ... | ... | ... | 19,067 | 36,398 | 0 | |
| Voi | Mun | CO | 5,313 | ... | 13,202 | 16,863 | 17,152 | 0 | |
| Wajir | UC | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 16,838 | 0 | |
| Wanguru | UC | CE | ... | ... | ... | 8,181 | 17,626 | 0 | |
| Watamu | UC | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 10,030 | 0 | |
| Webuye | Mun | WE | ... | ... | ... | 19,606 | 23,318 | 0 | |
| Wote | Town | EA | ... | ... | ... | 5,542 | 9,875 | 0 |
- The presented population figures refer to core urban areas.
- (1969) Republic of Kenya, Statistics Division: Kenya Population Census 1969, Vol. II, Data on Urban Population,1971.
(1979) (1989) Kenya Population Census 1989, Vol. II, and Analytical Report, Vol. VI (provided by James Nealis).
(1999) Republic of Kenya, Central Bureau of Statistics (web), 1999 Population and Housing Census, Volume I.
(2009) Republic of Kenya, Kenya Open Data (web).