Provinces of Kenya
Kenya's provinces were replaced by a system of counties in 2010.
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1. Central 2. Coast 3. Eastern 4. Nairobi |
5. North Eastern 6. Nyanza 7. Rift Valley 8. Western |
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History
Before the new constitution of Kenya that came into force on August 27th 2010, 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 (2009 Census) | 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 |
References
- Central Bureau of Statistics (Kenya): Census cartography: The Kenyan Experience