Provinces
The population of the former provinces of Kenya according to census results and latest official projections,
Name | Abbr. | Status | Capital | Area A-L (m²) | 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 Census (C) 2019-08-24 | Population Projection (P) 2023-07-01 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Central | CE | Prov | Nyeri | 13,152 | 2,345,833 | 3,116,703 | 3,724,159 | 4,383,743 | 5,482,239 | 5,949,200 | 1315200 | → |
Coast | CO | Prov | Mombasa | 82,382 | 1,342,794 | 1,829,191 | 2,487,264 | 3,325,307 | 4,329,474 | 4,717,500 | 8238200 | → |
Eastern | EA | Prov | Embu | 153,328 | 2,719,851 | 3,768,677 | 4,631,779 | 5,668,123 | 6,821,049 | 7,281,900 | 15332800 | → |
Nairobi | NA | CpDst | Nairobi | 704 | 827,775 | 1,324,570 | 2,143,254 | 3,138,369 | 4,397,073 | 4,750,100 | 70400 | → |
North Eastern | NE | Prov | Garissa | 127,449 | 373,787 | 371,391 | 962,143 | 2,310,757 | 2,490,073 | 2,756,900 | 12744900 | → |
Nyanza | NY | Prov | Kisumu | 12,602 | 2,643,956 | 3,507,162 | 4,392,196 | 5,442,711 | 6,269,579 | 6,776,100 | 1260200 | → |
Rift Valley | RV | Prov | Nakuru | 182,956 | 3,240,402 | 4,981,613 | 6,987,036 | 10,006,805 | 12,752,966 | 13,910,000 | 18295600 | → |
Western | WE | Prov | Kakamega | 8,304 | 1,832,663 | 2,544,329 | 3,358,776 | 4,334,282 | 5,021,843 | 5,383,900 | 830400 | → |
Kenya | KEN | Rep | Nairobi | 580,876 | 15,327,061 | 21,443,636 | 28,686,607 | 38,610,097 | 47,564,296 | 51,525,600 | → |
- The 2009 census figure of North Eastern province differs considerably compared to previous and later population figures. 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 may also result from refugees from Somalia.
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Major Cities
Name | Adm. | Population Census (C) 2019-08-24 | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Nairobi | NA | 4,397,073 |
2 | Mombasa | CO | 1,208,333 |
3 | Nakuru | RV | 570,674 |
4 | Ruiru | CE | 490,120 |
5 | Eldoret | RV | 475,716 |
6 | Kisumu | NY | 397,957 |
7 | Kikuyu | CE | 323,881 |
8 | Thika | CE | 251,407 |
9 | Naivasha | RV | 198,444 |
10 | Karuri | CE | 194,342 |
Contents: Cities, Towns & Urban Centers
The population of all Kenyan cities, towns and urban centers with more than 15,000 inhabitants by census years.
Name | 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 | Population Census (C) 2019-08-24 | Area | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Athi River (Mavoko) | EA | ... | ... | ... | 22,167 | ... | 81,302 | 0 | → |
Awendo | NY | ... | ... | ... | 13,760 | 17,909 | 16,815 | 0 | → |
Banisa (Banissa) | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 14,974 | 0 | → |
Bondo | NY | ... | ... | ... | 7,797 | 14,478 | 22,712 | 0 | → |
Bungoma | WE | 4,401 | 25,161 | 26,805 | 44,196 | 54,469 | 68,031 | 0 | → |
Busia | WE | 1,057 | 5,266 | 20,781 | 30,777 | 39,076 | 71,886 | 0 | → |
Chuka | EA | ... | ... | ... | 6,784 | 7,614 | 22,388 | 0 | → |
Elburgon | RV | 5,343 | ... | 12,072 | ... | 29,556 | 28,359 | 0 | → |
Eldama Ravine | RV | 2,692 | ... | 6,831 | 10,518 | 17,610 | 21,385 | 0 | → |
Eldoret | RV | 18,196 | 50,503 | 111,882 | 167,016 | 247,500 | 475,716 | 0 | → |
Elwak | NE | ... | ... | ... | 11,128 | 28,069 | 60,732 | 0 | → |
Emali | EA | ... | ... | ... | 3,649 | 7,024 | 18,325 | 0 | → |
Embu | EA | 3,928 | 15,986 | 26,525 | 31,500 | 34,825 | 64,979 | 0 | → |
Garbatula | EA | ... | ... | ... | 1,991 | ... | 17,443 | 0 | → |
Garissa | NE | ... | 14,076 | 31,319 | 50,955 | 109,224 | 163,399 | 0 | → |
Gilgil | RV | 4,178 | 9,103 | 14,034 | 20,362 | 39,016 | 60,711 | 0 | → |
Githunguri | EA | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 63,319 | 0 | → |
Habaswein | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 8,280 | 49,599 | 0 | → |
Hola | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 11,492 | 20,912 | 0 | → |
Homa Bay | NY | 3,252 | 7,489 | 23,335 | 32,174 | 28,593 | 44,949 | 0 | → |
Isebania | NY | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 23,891 | 0 | → |
Isiolo | EA | 8,201 | 11,331 | 16,824 | 28,854 | 43,746 | 78,650 | 0 | → |
Juja | CE | ... | ... | ... | 6,009 | 40,183 | 156,041 | 0 | → |
Kabarnet | RV | ... | ... | ... | 9,583 | 17,269 | 22,474 | 0 | → |
Kajiado | RV | 1,755 | ... | ... | 9,128 | 14,205 | 24,678 | 0 | → |
Kakamega | WE | 6,244 | 32,025 | ... | 57,128 | 67,170 | 107,227 | 0 | → |
Kakuma | RV | ... | ... | ... | 9,107 | 31,581 | 22,984 | 0 | → |
Kapsabet | RV | 2,298 | ... | 10,537 | 17,918 | 23,303 | 41,997 | 0 | → |
Karatina | CE | 2,436 | ... | ... | 6,852 | 8,362 | 23,552 | 0 | → |
Karuri | CE | ... | ... | 14,929 | 19,746 | 107,754 | 194,342 | 0 | → |
Kehancha | NY | ... | ... | ... | 11,819 | ... | 22,194 | 0 | → |
Kenol | CE | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 44,086 | 0 | → |
Kericho | RV | 10,144 | ... | ... | 30,023 | 40,813 | 53,804 | 0 | → |
Kerugoya | CE | 1,938 | ... | 9,585 | 14,056 | 20,121 | 30,045 | 0 | → |
Kiambu | CE | 2,776 | ... | 6,522 | 13,814 | 75,203 | 147,870 | 0 | → |
Kikuyu | CE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 200,285 | 323,881 | 0 | → |
Kilifi | CO | 2,662 | ... | 14,145 | 30,394 | 43,388 | 74,270 | 0 | → |
Kimilili | WE | 723 | ... | 5,483 | 10,261 | 40,928 | 56,050 | 0 | → |
Kiminini | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 5,523 | 16,560 | 0 | → |
Kiserian | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 14,086 | 76,903 | 0 | → |
Kisii | NY | 6,080 | 29,661 | 44,149 | ... | 60,222 | 112,417 | 0 | → |
Kisumu | NY | 32,431 | 152,643 | 192,733 | 194,390 | 254,016 | 397,957 | 0 | → |
Kitale | RV | 11,573 | 28,327 | 56,218 | 63,245 | 98,071 | 162,174 | 0 | → |
Kitengela | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 56,984 | 154,436 | 0 | → |
Kitui | EA | 3,071 | ... | 9,305 | 13,244 | 19,067 | 29,062 | 0 | → |
Lafey | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 22,882 | 0 | → |
Lamu | CO | 7,403 | ... | ... | ... | 12,767 | 25,385 | 0 | → |
Limuru | CE | 1,286 | ... | ... | ... | 61,306 | 81,316 | 0 | → |
Lodwar | RV | ... | ... | 13,619 | 16,981 | 44,153 | 82,970 | 0 | → |
Machakos | EA | 6,312 | ... | ... | 28,891 | 40,819 | 63,767 | 0 | → |
Mai Mahiu | RV | ... | ... | ... | ... | 10,783 | 20,823 | 0 | → |
Mairo Inya | CE | ... | ... | ... | 3,580 | ... | 30,527 | 0 | → |
Makindu | EA | ... | ... | ... | 6,226 | 7,766 | 15,038 | 0 | → |
Makutano (Kapenguria) | RV | 1,790 | ... | 7,729 | 12,984 | 20,456 | 28,469 | 0 | → |
Malaba | WE | ... | ... | ... | 7,302 | 15,626 | 15,581 | 0 | → |
Malindi | CO | 10,757 | 23,275 | 34,047 | 53,805 | 82,747 | 119,859 | 0 | → |
Mandera | NE | 946 | 13,126 | 22,699 | 30,433 | 57,186 | 114,718 | 0 | → |
Maralal | RV | 3,878 | ... | 8,962 | 16,281 | 15,213 | 31,350 | 0 | → |
Mariakani | CO | ... | ... | 8,372 | 10,987 | 30,671 | 31,715 | 0 | → |
Marsabit | EA | 6,635 | ... | ... | 13,862 | 14,474 | 36,289 | 0 | → |
Masalani | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 13,900 | 43,642 | 0 | → |
Maua | EA | ... | ... | ... | 9,763 | 14,753 | 22,121 | 0 | → |
Mazeras | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 16,254 | 0 | → |
Mbale (Vihiga) | WE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 36,380 | 17,404 | 0 | → |
Mbita (Mbita Point) | NY | ... | ... | ... | 6,103 | 10,720 | 14,916 | 0 | → |
Meru | EA | 4,475 | ... | ... | ... | 43,146 | 80,191 | 0 | → |
Migori | NY | 2,066 | ... | 12,274 | 31,644 | 52,418 | 71,668 | 0 | → |
Mlolongo | EA | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | 136,351 | 0 | → |
Moi's Bridge | WE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 14,146 | 16,355 | 0 | → |
Molo (Turi) | RV | 4,240 | ... | 11,175 | 20,944 | 32,572 | 48,356 | 0 | → |
Mombasa | CO | 247,073 | 341,148 | 461,753 | 665,018 | 905,627 | 1,208,333 | 0 | → |
Moyale | EA | ... | ... | 7,049 | 13,944 | 27,632 | 47,850 | 0 | → |
Msambweni | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 12,503 | 14,951 | 0 | → |
Mtwapa | CO | ... | ... | ... | 18,397 | 48,426 | 90,677 | 0 | → |
Mumias | WE | 697 | ... | 23,668 | 36,158 | 38,623 | 41,942 | 0 | → |
Murang'a | CE | 4,750 | 15,290 | 21,650 | ... | 23,723 | 43,314 | 0 | → |
Mwingi | EA | ... | ... | 3,742 | 10,138 | 14,900 | 17,025 | 0 | → |
Nairobi | NA | 509,286 | 827,775 | 1,324,570 | 2,143,254 | 3,109,861 | 4,397,073 | 0 | → |
Naivasha | RV | 6,920 | 11,491 | ... | 32,222 | 91,898 | 198,444 | 0 | → |
Nakuru | RV | 47,151 | 92,851 | 163,927 | 219,366 | 343,395 | 570,674 | 0 | → |
Namanga | RV | ... | ... | ... | 6,205 | 9,004 | 14,922 | 0 | → |
Nanyuki | RV | 11,624 | 18,986 | 24,070 | 31,577 | 38,339 | 72,813 | 0 | → |
Narok | RV | 2,608 | ... | 11,629 | 24,091 | 37,129 | 65,430 | 0 | → |
Ngong | RV | 1,583 | ... | 8,775 | 20,701 | 103,927 | 102,323 | 0 | → |
Njoro | RV | 3,037 | ... | ... | 16,510 | 23,770 | 42,173 | 0 | → |
Nyahururu | RV | 7,602 | 11,277 | 14,829 | 24,751 | 40,803 | 37,650 | 0 | → |
Nyamira | NY | ... | ... | ... | 9,971 | 12,657 | 24,483 | 0 | → |
Nyeri | CE | 10,004 | 35,753 | ... | 46,969 | 61,187 | 80,081 | 0 | → |
Ongata Rongai | RV | ... | ... | 17,288 | 35,874 | 39,951 | 172,569 | 0 | → |
Oyugis | NY | ... | ... | ... | 9,084 | 8,917 | 19,947 | 0 | → |
Rhamu | NE | ... | ... | ... | 7,437 | 23,894 | 35,644 | 0 | → |
Rongo | NY | ... | ... | ... | 6,175 | 12,282 | 20,688 | 0 | → |
Ruiru | CE | 1,674 | 1,718 | 23,316 | 79,741 | 238,329 | 490,120 | 0 | → |
Siaya | NY | ... | 4,022 | ... | 13,787 | 22,182 | 33,153 | 0 | → |
Takaba | NE | ... | ... | ... | 2,931 | 21,271 | 21,517 | 0 | → |
Taveta | CO | ... | ... | ... | 11,495 | 16,889 | 22,018 | 0 | → |
Thika | CE | 18,387 | 41,324 | 57,603 | 82,665 | 136,386 | 251,407 | 0 | → |
Ukunda | CO | ... | ... | ... | 43,946 | 60,489 | 77,686 | 0 | → |
Voi | CO | 5,313 | ... | 13,202 | 16,863 | 16,136 | 53,353 | 0 | → |
Wajir | NE | ... | ... | ... | ... | 16,188 | 90,116 | 0 | → |
Wanguru | CE | ... | ... | ... | 8,181 | 17,581 | 51,722 | 0 | → |
Watamu | CO | ... | ... | ... | ... | 9,407 | 27,857 | 0 | → |
Webuye | WE | ... | ... | ... | 19,606 | 23,364 | 42,642 | 0 | → |
Wote | EA | ... | ... | ... | 5,542 | 9,433 | 19,725 | 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) (2009) (2019) Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Population Structure
Further information about the population structure.
Gender (P 2023) | |
---|---|
Males | 25,549,285 |
Females | 25,976,317 |
Age Groups (P 2023) | |
---|---|
0-14 years | 18,374,515 |
15-64 years | 31,140,323 |
65+ years | 2,010,764 |
Age Distribution (P 2023) | |
---|---|
80+ years | 504,581 |
70-79 years | 857,801 |
60-69 years | 1,517,409 |
50-59 years | 2,723,471 |
40-49 years | 4,775,691 |
30-39 years | 7,275,980 |
20-29 years | 9,892,007 |
10-19 years | 11,519,864 |
0-9 years | 12,458,798 |
Urbanization (C 2019) | |
---|---|
Rural | 32,732,596 |
Urban | 14,831,700 |
Religion (C 2019) | |
---|---|
Catholic | 9,726,169 |
Protestant | 15,777,473 |
Evangelical | 9,648,690 |
Other Christian | 5,226,747 |
Islam | 5,152,194 |
Hindu | 60,287 |
Traditional | 318,727 |
Other religion | 467,083 |
No religion | 755,750 |