Kenya is a lively and diverse country with a fascinating history and culture. It has experienced significant changes in the way it is governed, especially with the new constitution adopted in 2010.
One major change is the creation of 47 counties, which are like smaller government units.
These counties aim to bring services and resources closer to the people, making it easier for everyone to be involved and accountable.
Each county has its own special code, headquarters, and governor, who is elected by the residents for five years.
The counties also differ in size, population, economy, and attractions.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all 47 counties in Kenya, including their codes, headquarters, governors, and some interesting facts about each one.
Here is a list of all 47 counties in Kenya and their headquarters:
| Code | County | County Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Mombasa | Mombasa City |
| 002 | Kwale | Kwale |
| 003 | Kilifi | Kilifi |
| 004 | Tana River | Hola |
| 005 | Lamu | Lamu |
| 006 | Taita–Taveta | Mwatate |
| 007 | Garissa | Garissa |
| 008 | Wajir | Wajir |
| 009 | Mandera | Mandera |
| 010 | Marsabit | Marsabit |
| 011 | Isiolo | Isiolo |
| 012 | Meru | Meru |
| 013 | Tharaka-Nithi | Kathwana |
| 014 | Embu | Embu |
| 015 | Kitui | Kitui |
| 016 | Machakos | Machakos |
| 017 | Makueni | Wote |
| 018 | Nyandarua | Ol Kalou |
| 019 | Nyeri | Nyeri |
| 020 | Kirinyaga | Kerugoya |
| 021 | Murang’a | Murang’a |
| 022 | Kiambu | Kiambu |
| 023 | Turkana | Lodwar |
| 024 | West Pokot | Kapenguria |
| 025 | Samburu | Maralal |
| 026 | Trans-Nzoia | Kitale |
| 027 | Uasin Gishu | Eldoret |
| 028 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | Iten |
| 029 | Nandi | Kapsabet |
| 030 | Baringo | Kabarnet |
| 031 | Laikipia | Nanyuki |
| 032 | Nakuru | Nakuru City |
| 033 | Narok | Narok |
| 034 | Kajiado | Kajiado |
| 035 | Kericho | Kericho |
| 036 | Bomet | Bomet |
| 037 | Kakamega | Kakamega |
| 038 | Vihiga | Mbale |
| 039 | Bungoma | Bungoma |
| 040 | Busia | Busia |
| 041 | Siaya | Siaya |
| 042 | Kisumu | Kisumu City |
| 043 | Homa Bay | Homa Bay |
| 044 | Migori | Migori |
| 045 | Kisii | Kisii |
| 046 | Nyamira | Nyamira |
| 047 | Nairobi | Nairobi City |
Counties in Kenya and their Governors
There are 47 counties in Kenya, each with its own governor and capital.
The governors are elected by the people of their respective counties for a term of five years, and can serve a maximum of two terms.
The governors are responsible for implementing county policies and laws, overseeing the county executive committee, and representing the county in national and international forums.
Here is a table of the counties in Kenya and their governors, as of 2023:
| Code | County Name | Governor |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Mombasa | Abdulswamad Nassir |
| 002 | Kwale | Fatuma Achani |
| 003 | Kilifi | Gideon Mung’aro |
| 004 | Tana River | Dhadho Godhana |
| 005 | Lamu | Issa Abdallah Timamy |
| 006 | Taita Taveta | Andrew Mwadime |
| 007 | Garissa | Nathif Jama |
| 008 | Wajir | Ahmed Abdullahi |
| 009 | Mandera | Mohamed Adan Khalif |
| 010 | Marsabit | Mohamud Ali |
| 011 | Isiolo | Abdi Hassan Guyo |
| 012 | Meru | Kawira Mwangaza |
| 013 | Tharaka | Muthomi Njuki |
| 014 | Embu | Cecily Mbarire |
| 015 | Kitui | Julius Malombe |
| 016 | Machakos | Wavinya Ndeti |
| 017 | Makueni | Mutula Kilonzo |
| 018 | Nyandarua | Moses Badilisha Kiarie |
| 019 | Nyeri | Mutahi Kahiga |
| 020 | Kirinyaga | Anne Waiguru |
| 021 | Murang’a | Irungu Kang’ata |
| 022 | Kiambu | Kimani Wamatangi |
| 023 | Turkana | Jeremiah Lomurkai |
| 024 | West Pokot | Simon Kachapin |
| 025 | Samburu | Jonathan Lati Leleliit |
| 026 | Trans-Nzoia | George Natembeya |
| 027 | Uasin Gishu | Jonathan Bii |
| 028 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | Wisley Rotich |
| 029 | Nandi | Stephen Sang |
| 030 | Baringo | Benjamin Cheboi |
| 031 | Laikipia | Joshua Irungu |
| 032 | Nakuru | Susan Kihika |
| 033 | Narok | Patrick Ole Ntutu |
| 034 | Kajiado | Joseph Ole Lenku |
| 035 | Kericho | Dr. Erick Kipkoech Mutai |
| 036 | Bomet | Hillary Barchok |
| 037 | Kakamega | Fernandes Barasa |
| 038 | Vihiga | Wilber Ottichilo |
| 039 | Bungoma | Ken Lusaka |
| 040 | Busia | Paul Otuoma |
| 041 | Siaya | James Orengo |
| 042 | Kisumu | Anyang’ Nyong’o |
| 043 | Homa Bay | Gladys Wanga |
| 044 | Migori | Ochillo Ayacko |
| 045 | Kisii | Simba Arati |
| 046 | Nyamira | Amos Nyaribo |
| 047 | Nairobi | Johnson Sakaja |
Counties in Kenya FAQs
Which is the biggest county in Kenya?
The largest county in terms of size is Turkana, spanning an area of 71,597.8 square kilometers. In contrast, the largest county in terms of population is Nairobi, with a human population of 4,397,073 according to the 2019 census.
Which is the smallest county in Kenya?
Mombasa is the smallest county in Kenya, encompassing an area of 229.7 km2, excluding 65 km2 of water mass. It is located in the southeastern part of the former Coast Province. It shares borders with Kilifi County to the north, Kwale County to the southwest, and the Indian Ocean to the east.
How many counties are in central Kenya?
There are five counties in central Kenya. These are Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga.
Conclusion
Kenya is a country of diversity and dynamism, with 47 counties.
Each county has its own code, headquarters, and governor, who is elected by the people for a term of five years. The counties also have their own unique features, such as size, population, economy, and attractions.
In this article, we have explored the list of all the 47 counties in Kenya, their codes, headquarters, and governors.
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the devolved system of government in Kenya.
We also hope that this article has inspired you to learn more about the counties and their people.
Kenya is a country that is constantly evolving and growing, and its counties are at the forefront of this change.
As the famous Kenyan proverb says, “Haba na haba, hujaza kibaba” — little by little, the pot gets filled.