Provinces of Kenya
![](../I/m/Kenya_Provinces_numbered.svg.png)
1. Central 2. Coast 3. Eastern 4. Nairobi |
5. North Eastern 6. Nyanza 7. Rift Valley 8. Western |
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This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Kenya |
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Kenya's provinces were replaced by a system of counties in 2013.
History
Before the new constitution of Kenya that came into force in 2013, Kenya was divided into eight provinces (see map). The provinces were subdivided into 46 districts (excluding Nairobi) which were further subdivided into 262 divisions. The divisions were subdivided into 2,427 locations and then 6,612 sublocations.[1] A province was administered by a Provincial Commissioner (PC).
Kenyan local authorities mostly do not follow common boundaries with divisions. They are classified as City, Municipality, Town or County councils.
A third discrete type of classification are electoral constituencies. They are electoral areas without administrative functions, and are further subdivided into wards.
Former Provinces
Counties by former province
Code | County | Province | Area (km2) | Population Census 2009 | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mombasa | Coast | 212.5 | 939,370 | Mombasa (City) |
2 | Kwale | Coast | 8,270.3 | 649,931 | Kwale |
3 | Kilifi | Coast | 12,245.9 | 1,109,735 | Kilifi |
4 | Tana River | Coast | 35,375.8 | 240,075 | Hola |
5 | Lamu | Coast | 6,497.7 | 101,539 | Lamu |
6 | Taita-Taveta | Coast | 17,083.9 | 284,657 | Voi |
Sub-Totals | Coast | 79,686.1 | 3,325,307 | ||
7 | Garissa | North Eastern | 45,720.2 | 623,060 | Garissa |
8 | Wajir | North Eastern | 55,840.6 | 661,941 | Wajir |
9 | Mandera | North Eastern | 25,797.7 | 1,025,756 | Mandera |
Sub-Totals | North Eastern | 127,358.5 | 2,310,757 | ||
10 | Marsabit | Eastern | 66,923.1 | 291,166 | Marsabit |
11 | Isiolo | Eastern | 25,336.1 | 143,294 | Isiolo |
12 | Meru | Eastern | 5,127.1 | 1,356,301 | Meru |
13 | Tharaka-Nithi | Eastern | 2,409.5 | 365,330 | Chuka |
14 | Embu | Eastern | 2,555.9 | 516,212 | Embu |
15 | Kitui | Eastern | 24,385.1 | 1,012,709 | Kitui |
16 | Machakos | Eastern | 5,952.9 | 1,098,584 | Machakos |
17 | Makueni | Eastern | 8,008.9 | 884,527 | Wote |
Sub-Totals | Eastern | 140,698.6 | 5,668,123 | ||
18 | Nyandarua | Central | 3,107.7 | 596,268 | Ol Kalou |
19 | Nyeri | Central | 2,361.0 | 693,558 | Nyeri |
20 | Kirinyaga | Central | 1,205.4 | 528,054 | Kerugoya / Kutus |
21 | Murang'a | Central | 2,325.8 | 942,581 | Murang'a |
22 | Kiambu | Central | 2,449.2 | 1,623,282 | Kiambu |
Sub-Totals | Central | 11,449.1 | 4,383,743 | ||
23 | Turkana | Rift Valley | 71,597.8 | 855,399 | Lodwar |
24 | West Pokot | Rift Valley | 8,418.2 | 512,690 | Kapenguria |
25 | Samburu | Rift Valley | 20,182.5 | 223,947 | Maralal |
26 | Trans Nzoia | Rift Valley | 2,469.9 | 818,757 | Kitale |
27 | Uasin Gishu | Rift Valley | 2,955.3 | 894,179 | Eldoret |
28 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | Rift Valley | 3,049.7 | 369,998 | Iten |
29 | Nandi | Rift Valley | 2,884.5 | 752,965 | Kapsabet |
30 | Baringo | Rift Valley | 11,075.3 | 555,561 | Kabarnet |
31 | Laikipia | Rift Valley | 8,696.1 | 399,227 | Rumuruti |
32 | Nakuru | Rift Valley | 7,509.5 | 1,603,325 | Nakuru |
33 | Narok | Rift Valley | 17,921.2 | 850,920 | Narok |
34 | Kajiado | Rift Valley | 21,292.7 | 687,312 | Kajiado |
35 | Kericho | Rift Valley | 2,454.5 | 752,396 | Kericho |
36 | Bomet | Rift Valley | 1,997.9 | 730,129 | Bomet |
Sub-Totals | Rift Valley | 182,505.1 | 10,006,805 | ||
37 | Kakamega | Western | 3,033.8 | 1,660,651 | Kakamega |
38 | Vihiga | Western | 531.3 | 554,622 | Vihiga |
39 | Bungoma | Western | 2,206.9 | 1,375,063 | Bungoma |
40 | Busia | Western | 1,628.4 | 743,946 | Busia |
Sub-Totals | Western | 7,400.4 | 4,334,202 | ||
41 | Siaya | Nyanza | 2,496.1 | 842,304 | Siaya |
42 | Kisumu | Nyanza | 2,009.5 | 968,909 | Kisumu |
43 | Homa Bay | Nyanza | 3,154.7 | 963,794 | Homa Bay |
44 | Migori | Nyanza | 2,586.4 | 917,170 | Migori |
45 | Kisii | Nyanza | 1,317.9 | 1,152,282 | Kisii |
46 | Nyamira | Nyanza | 912.5 | 598,252 | Nyamira |
Sub-Totals | Nyanza | 12,477.1 | 5,442,711 | ||
47 | Nairobi | Nairobi | 694.9 | 3,138,369 | Nairobi (City) |
Totals | 581,309.0 | 38,610,097 | Nairobi |
See also
References
- ↑ Central Bureau of Statistics (Kenya): Census cartography: The Kenyan Experience