Counties of Kenya

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For the defunct county councils of Kenya, see Local authorities of Kenya.

Counties of Kenya
Kaunti za Kenya  (Swahili)
Map showing Counties underthe new kenyan constitution..gif
CategorySemi-devolved state
LocationRepublic of Kenya
Number47 counties
Populations143,920 (Lamu) – 4,397,073 (Nairobi)
Areas294.7 km2 (113.8 sq mi) (Mombasa) – 71,597.8 km2 (27,644.1 sq mi) (Turkana)
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The counties of Kenya (Swahili: Kaunti za Kenya) are geographical units envisioned by the 2010 Constitution of Kenya as the units of devolved government.[1] The powers are provided in Articles 191 and 192, and in the fourth schedule of the Constitution of Kenya and the County Governments Act of 2012. The counties are also single-member constituencies for the election of members of parliament to the Senate of Kenya[2] and special women members of parliament to the National Assembly of Kenya.[3] As of 2013 general elections, there are 47 counties whose size and boundaries are based on the 47 legally recognized districts of Kenya. Following the re-organization of Kenya's national administration, counties were integrated into a new national administration with the national government posting county commissioners to represent it at the counties.[4]

Establishment[]

County governments were established in 47 counties (largely based on the 1992 districts of Kenya),[5] after the scheduled general elections in March 2013. The counties' names are set out in the First Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya.

List of counties[]

Under the new constitution, Kenya is now divided into 47 counties for administrative purposes. They are grouped below according to the former province of which they were part, with their areas and populations as of the 2009[6] and the 2019 census:[7]

Code County Former
Province		 Area
(km2)		 Population
(2009 Census)		 Population
(2019 Census)		 Capital
1 Mombasa (County) Coast 212.5 939,370 1,208,333 Mombasa (City)
2 Kwale Coast 8,270.3 649,931 866,820 Kwale
3 Kilifi Coast 12,245.9 1,109,735 1,453,787 Kilifi
4 Tana River Coast 35,375.8 240,075 315,943 Hola
5 Lamu Coast 6,497.7 191,539 143,920 Lamu
6 Taita–Taveta Coast 17,083.9 284,657 340,671 Mwatate
7 Garissa North Eastern 45,720.2 623,060 841,353 Garissa
8 Wajir North Eastern 55,840.6 661,941 781,263 Wajir
9 Mandera North Eastern 25,797.7 1,025,756 867,457 Mandera
10 Marsabit Eastern 66,923.1 291,166 459,785 Marsabit
11 Isiolo Eastern 25,336.1 143,294 268,002 Isiolo
12 Meru Eastern 7,003.1 1,356,301 1,545,714 Meru
13 Tharaka-Nithi Eastern 2,609.5 365,330 393,177 Kathwana
14 Embu Eastern 2,555.9 516,212 608,599 Embu
15 Kitui Eastern 24,385.1 1,012,709 1,136,187 Kitui
16 Machakos Eastern 5,952.9 1,098,584 1,421,932 Machakos
17 Makueni Eastern 8,008.9 884,527 987,653 Wote
18 Nyandarua Central 3,107.7 596,268 638,289 Ol Kalou
19 Nyeri Central 2,361.0 693,558 759,164 Nyeri
20 Kirinyaga Central 1,205.4 528,054 610,411 Kerugoya / Kutus
21 Murang'a Central 2,325.8 942,581 1,056,640 Murang'a
22 Kiambu Central 2,449.2 1,623,282 2,417,735 Kiambu
23 Turkana Rift Valley 71,597.8 855,399 926,976 Lodwar
24 West Pokot Rift Valley 8,418.2 512,690 621,241 Kapenguria
25 Samburu Rift Valley 20,182.5 223,947 310,327 Maralal
26 Trans-Nzoia Rift Valley 2,469.9 818,757 990,341 Kitale
27 Uasin Gishu Rift Valley 2,955.3 894,179 1,163,186 Eldoret
28 Elgeyo-Marakwet Rift Valley 3,049.7 369,998 454,480 Iten
29 Nandi Rift Valley 2,884.5 752,965 885,711 Kapsabet
30 Baringo Rift Valley 11,075.3 555,561 666,763 Kabarnet
31 Laikipia Rift Valley 8,696.1 399,227 518,560 Rumuruti
32 Nakuru Rift Valley 7,509.5 1,603,325 2,162,202 Nakuru (City)[8][9]
33 Narok Rift Valley 17,921.2 850,920 1,157,873 Narok
34 Kajiado Rift Valley 21,292.7 687,312 1,117,840 Kajiado
35 Kericho Rift Valley 2,454.5 752,396 901,777 Kericho
36 Bomet Rift Valley 1,997.9 730,129 875,689 Bomet
37 Kakamega Western 3,033.8 1,660,651 1,867,579 Kakamega
38 Vihiga Western 531.3 554,622 590,013 Vihiga
39 Bungoma Western 2,206.9 1,375,063 1,670,570 Bungoma
40 Busia Western 1,628.4 743,946 893,681 Busia
41 Siaya Nyanza 2,496.1 842,304 993,183 Siaya
42 Kisumu Nyanza 2,009.5 968,909 1,155,574 Kisumu(City)
43 Homa Bay Nyanza 3,154.7 963,794 1,131,950 Homa Bay
44 Migori Nyanza 2,586.4 917,170 1,116,436 Migori
45 Kisii Nyanza 1,317.9 1,152,282 1,266,860 Kisii
46 Nyamira Nyanza 912.5 598,252 605,576 Nyamira
47 Nairobi (County) Nairobi (Province) 694.9 3,138,369 4,397,073 Nairobi (City)
581,309.0 38,610,997 47,564,296 Nairobi

County governments[]

County governments are responsible for county legislation (outlined in article 185 of the Constitution of Kenya), executive functions (outlined in article 183), functions outlined in the fourth schedule of the constitution of Kenya, functions transferred from the national government through article 187 of the constitution of Kenya, functions agreed upon with other counties under article 189(2) of the constitution of Kenya, and establishment and staffing of a public service (under article 235 of the Constitution of Kenya).[10] The functions of governments assigned to counties by the fourth schedule of the Constitution of Kenya are:[11]

Agriculture[]

  • Crop and animal husbandry
  • Livestock sale yards
  • County abattoirs (slaughterhouses)
  • Plant and animal disease control
  • Fisheries

County health services[]

  • County health facilities and pharmacies
  • Ambulance services
  • Promotion of primary health care
  • Licensing and control of undertakings that sell food to the public
  • Veterinary services (excluding regulation of the profession)
  • Cemeteries, funeral parlors and crematoria
  • Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal.
  • Food distribution and Free services for pregnant mothers

Pollution, nuisances and advertising control[]

  • air pollution is not an issue and the country is extremely clean with their ban of paper bags


Cultural activities, public entertainment and public amenities[]

  • Betting, casinos and other forms of gambling
  • Racing
  • Liquor licensing
  • Cinemas
  • Video shows and hiring
  • Libraries
  • Museums
  • Sports and cultural activities and facilities
  • County parks, beaches and recreation facilities
  • Ice skating
  • Sport fishing
  • Golf
  • Horse racing
  • Rugby

County transport[]

  • County roads
  • Street lighting
  • Traffic and parking
  • Public road transport
  • Ferries and harbors, excluding the regulation of international and national shipping and matters related thereto
  • SGR- Madaraka Express (modern railway experience)

Trade development and regulation[]

  • Markets
  • Trade licenses, excluding regulation of professions
  • Fair trading practices
  • Local tourism
  • Cooperative societies

County planning and development[]

  • Statistics
  • Land surveying, planning and mapping of resources
  • Boundaries and fencing
  • Housing
  • Electricity and gas reticulation and energy regulation

Education and childcare[]

  • Pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft center's and childcare facilities
  • Adult education and national exam registration for the same.

Policy implementation[]

  • Implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation
  • Soil and water conservation
  • Forestry

County public works and services[]

  • Stormwater management systems in built-up areas
  • Water and sanitation services

Fire fighting services and disaster management[]

Counties are mandated by the 2010 constitution of Kenya to enact legislation and laws that ensures management and controls of fire fighting.

Control of drugs and pornography[]

Coordination[]

  • Ensuring and coordinating the participation of communities and locations in governance at the local level
  • Assisting communities and locations to develop the administrative capacity for the effective exercise of the functions and powers and participation in governance at the local level

County executive committee[]

The county governor and the deputy county governor are the chief executive and deputy chief executive of the county, respectively.[12] The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission[13] shall not conduct a separate election for the deputy governor but shall declare the running mate of the person who is elected county governor to have been elected as the deputy governor.[14] Each county will be run by an executive committee, consisting of:

  • A governor, elected directly by the people
  • A deputy, elected as running mate of the successful candidate for governorship
  • A number of committee members not exceeding a third (or ten where a county assembly has more than 30 members) of the members of the respective county assembly
  • A county secretary,[15] nominated by the governor and approved by the county assembly, who will double up as head of the county public service, and secretary to the county executive committee[16]

As a specialty in the democratic system Kenyan law requires governors to have a recognised university degree (it is not necessary for the President of the United States, for example, to hold a degree).[17]

County assemblies[]

The counties will each have an assembly[18] whose members are elected from single member constituencies known as wards.[19] There may also be a number of nominated members as is necessary to ensure that neither male nor female members constitute more than two-thirds of the assembly.[20] There will also be six nominated members to represent marginalised groups (persons with disabilities, and the youth) and a county assembly speaker who will be an ex officio member of the assembly.[21]

County governors[]

Current list of governors[]

The governors listed below were elected on 8 August 2017.

County No Name Governor Deputy Governor Party
1 Mombasa (County) Ali Hassan Joho Dr. William Kingi ODM
2 Kwale Salim Mvurya Fatuma Mohamed Achani JP[22]
3 Kilifi Amason Kingi Kenneth Mwakombo Kamto ODM
4 Tana River Dhadho Gadae Godhana Jire Siyat Mohamed ODM
5 Lamu Fahim Yassin Twaha Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana JP
6 Taita-Taveta Granton Graham Samboja Majala Mlagui Delina WDM-K
7 Garissa Ali Korane Dagame Abdi JP
8 Wajir Ahmed Muktar Ali TBD JP
9 Mandera Ali Ibrahim Roba Mohamed Ahmed Arai JP
10 Marsabit Mohamud Mohamed Ali Solomon Gubo Riwe JP
11 Isiolo Mohammed Abdi Kuti Dr. Ibrahim Abdi Issa IND
12 Meru Kiraitu Murungi Titus Ntuchiu JP
13 Tharaka Onesmus Muthomi Njuki Francis Nyamu Kagwima JP
14 Embu Martin Wambora David Kariuki Njeru JP[23]
15 Kitui Charity Ngilu Dr. Wathe Nzau NARC
16 Machakos Eng. Francis Maliti Maendeleo Chap Chap Party
17 Makueni Adelina Ndeto Mwau WDM-K
18 Nyandarua Francis Kimemia Cecilia Wanjiru Mbuthia JP
19 Nyeri Mutahi Kahiga Caroline Karugu JP
20 Kirinyaga Anne Waiguru Peter Ndambiri JP
21 Murang'a Mwangi wa Iria Augustine J Gakure Monyo JP
22 Kiambu Dr .James Nyoro Joyce Ngugi JP
23 Turkana Josphat Nanok Peter Lotethiro Emuria ODM
24 West Pokot [24] Dr. Nicholas Atudonyang KANU
25 Samburu Moses Kasaine Julius Leseeto JP
26 Trans-Nzoia Patrick Simonyu Khaemba Stanley Kiptoo Kenei Tarus FORD-KENYA
27 Uasin Gishu Daniel Kiplagat Kiprotich JP
28 Elgeyo-Marakwet Alex Tolgos Gabriel Lagat Kosgey JP
29 Nandi Stephen Kipyego Sang Dr Yulita Jebotip Cheruiyot Mitei JP
30 Baringo Stanley Kiptis Jacob Kurui Chepkwony JP
31 Laikipia Ndiritu Muriithi John Mwaniki IND
32 Nakuru Lee Kinyanjui Erick Korir JP
33 Narok Samuel ole Tunai Aruasa Evalyn Chepkirui JP
34 Kajiado Joseph Ole Lenku Martin Moshisho JP
35 Kericho Prof.Paul Kiprono Chepkwony Susan Chepkoech Kikwai JP
36 Bomet David Shadrack Rotich JP
37 Kakamega Wycliffe Oparanya Philip Museve Kutima ODM
38 Vihiga Wilber Otichilo Dr. Patrick Lumumba Saisi ODM
39 Bungoma Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati Prof. Charles Ngome Kibanani FORD-KENYA
40 Busia Sospeter Ojaamong Solomon Abwaku Akadake ODM
41 Siaya Cornel Rasanga Wilson Ouma Onyango ODM
42 Kisumu Mathews Owili ODM
43 Homa Bay Dr. Cyprian Awiti Hamiliton Onyango Orata ODM
44 Migori Zacharia Obado Nelson Mahanga Mwita ODM
45 Kisii James Ongwae Arthur Maangi Gongera ODM
46 Nyamira Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo TBD ODM
47 Nairobi (County) TBD TBD


See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Article 6, Devolution and access to Services, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya
  2. ^ Article 98, (1) (a), Membership of the Senate, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya
  3. ^ Article 97, (1) (b) Membership of the National Assembly, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya
  4. ^ Kenyan County Commissioners Re-Organised Under New Structure, http://allafrica.com/stories/201307230067.html
  5. ^ "List and Format Used to Number Kenya's 47 Counties". Soko Directory. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  6. ^ Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; and the final report of the IEBC as ratified in the National Assembly Constituencies and County Assembly Wards Order, 2012.
  7. ^ http://www.knbs.or.ke
  8. ^ June 04 2021, Friday (4 June 2021). "Senate approves Nakuru bid for city status". Business Daily. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  9. ^ Gachuhi, Kennedy. "Nakuru town's long journey to city status". The Standard. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Role and Functions of County Governments in Kenya". AfroCave. 6 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  11. ^ "2. County Governments". Kenya Law Reform Commission. 29 August 2012.
  12. ^ "179. County executive committees". Kenya Law Reform Commission. 29 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Role of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission". AfroCave. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  14. ^ "180. Election of county governor and deputy county governor". Kenya Law Reform Commission. 29 August 2012.
  15. ^ "Role and Functions of the County Secretary in Kenya". AfroCave. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  16. ^ Appointment of county secretary, Section 44, County Government Act 2012
  17. ^ "SHITANDA, WANJIRU OUT OVER DEGREES". The Standard. 18 January 2013. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Functions and Role of the County Assembly in Kenya". AfroCave. 14 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Role of Members of the County Assembly in Kenya". AfroCave. 12 April 2019. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  20. ^ Article 177, (1) Membership of a County Assembly, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya.
  21. ^ Article 177 (c), The 2010 Constitution of Kenya
  22. ^ "Home". Jubilee Pamoja. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  23. ^ "Public RTS". public.rts.iebc.or.ke. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  24. ^ "John Krop Lonyangapuo". Mzalendo. Retrieved 14 August 2017.

External links[]

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