2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census
| 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census | |
|---|---|
24–31 August 2019
| |
.png) Kenyan Counties by Population | |
| General information | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Topics | Census topics
|
| Authority | KNBS |
| Website | www |
| Results | |
| Total population | 47,564,296 ( 23.19%) |
| Most populous |  Nairobi (4,397,073) |
| Least populous |  Lamu (143,920) |
| Gender |
|
| Ethnicity | |
| Religious Affiliation |
|
| Urbanization |
|
| Households | 12,143,913 |
The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) was a national population enumeration conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) from 24–31 August 2019. It was Kenya's eighth population census, the sixth since independence in 1963, and the first to be conducted under the 2010 Constitution of Kenya. It was also the first census in Kenya to use mobile technology in the capture and transmission of data for both cartographic mapping and enumeration.
The 2019 census marked a shift towards digital census administration, incorporating Geographic Information Systems (GIS), GPS-enabled tablets and real-time data validation. Preparations began in 2016 with the digital mapping of the country into Enumeration Areas (EAs) helping improve geographical coverage and reduce duplicate counting. The exercise replaced traditional paper-based enumeration with electronic data collection hence modernizing census operations.
The census highlighted several demographic trends including rapid urbanization, a young population, declining fertility rate and slowing population growth. The total population was 47,564,296 , a 23.19% change from 2009 census. Approximately 31.2% of Kenyans lived in urban areas, while 75.1% were aged below 35 years. The annual population growth rate declined from 2.9% in 1999–2009 to 2.2% in 2009–2019. Average household size also decreased from 4.2 persons in 2009 to 3.9 in 2019, reflecting changing household patterns.
Conduct and methodology
Preparations for the 2019 Kenya census began in 2016 with cartographic mapping followed by the development of data collection tools, a pilot census, recruitment and training of personnel, and finally public awareness campaigns. The census was conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) under the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya, the Statistics (Amendment) Act of 2019 and the Statistics (Census of Population) Order of 2018.
The enumeration was conducted from the night of 24/25 August to 31 August 2019 followed by a mop up exercise on 1 to 2nd September to cover people who had not been enumerated during the main census exercise. It adopted the de facto approach under which people were counted according to where they spent the census reference night. Trained enumerators visited households and collected information from their members while special arrangements also were made to enumerate people in institutions and other settings including hotels, hospitals, prisons and people in transit.
The census was Kenya's first paperless population census using mobile technology for cartographic mapping, enumeration and data transmission. Information was collected on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics ,access to information and communications technology and agricultural activitis.
The exercise was also monitored by independent observers from the international community and national statistical offices in Africa. KNBS subsequently published the results in a series of reports covering population distribution by administrative unit, age and sex, and socioeconomic characteristics.
County
| Rank | County | Total population | Female share (%) | Male share (%) | Number of households | Density (persons/km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Kenya | 47,564,296 | 50.49 | 49.51 | 12,143,913 | 82 |
| 1 | Nairobi | 4,397,073 | 50.14 | 49.86 | 1,506,888 | 6,247 |
| 2 |  Kiambu | 2,417,735 | 50.89 | 49.10 | 795,241 | 952 |
| 3 |  Nakuru | 2,162,202 | 50.17 | 49.82 | 616,046 | 288 |
| 4 |  Kakamega | 1,867,579 | 51.97 | 48.05 | 433,207 | 619 |
| 5 |  Bungoma | 1,670,570 | 51.38 | 48.61 | 358,796 | 552 |
| 6 |  Meru | 1,545,714 | 50.33 | 49.67 | 426,360 | 220 |
| 7 |  Kilifi | 1,453,787 | 51.57 | 48.43 | 298,472 | 116 |
| 8 |  Machakos | 1,421,932 | 50.02 | 49.98 | 402,466 | 236 |
| 9 |  Kisii | 1,266,860 | 52.18 | 47.82 | 308,054 | 957 |
| 10 |  Mombasa | 1,208,333 | 49.49 | 50.50 | 378,422 | 5,495 |
| 11 |  Uasin Gishu | 1,163,186 | 50.15 | 49.89 | 304,943 | 342 |
| 12 |  Narok | 1,157,873 | 49.99 | 49.99 | 241,125 | 65 |
| 13 |  Kisumu | 1,155,574 | 51.44 | 48.55 | 300,745 | 554 |
| 14 |  Kitui | 1,136,187 | 51.67 | 48.32 | 262,942 | 37 |
| 15 |  Homa Bay | 1,131,950 | 52.33 | 47.67 | 262,036 | 359 |
| 16 |  Kajiado | 1,117,840 | 50.12 | 49.84 | 316,179 | 51 |
| 17 |  Migori | 1,116,436 | 51.98 | 48.03 | 240,168 | 427 |
| 18 |  Murang'a | 1,056,640 | 50.38 | 49.60 | 318,105 | 419 |
| 19 |  Siaya | 993,183 | 52.50 | 47.49 | 250,698 | 393 |
| 20 |  Trans Nzoia | 990,341 | 50.59 | 49.39 | 223,808 | 397 |
| 21 |  Makueni | 987,653 | 50.43 | 49.58 | 244,669 | 121 |
| 22 |  Turkana | 926,976 | 48.42 | 51.57 | 164,519 | 14 |
| 23 |  Kericho | 901,777 | 50.03 | 49.99 | 206,036 | 370 |
| 24 |  Busia | 893,681 | 52.33 | 47.70 | 198,152 | 526 |
| 25 |  Nandi | 885,711 | 50.19 | 49.82 | 199,426 | 311 |
| 26 |  Bomet | 875,689 | 50.43 | 49.60 | 187,641 | 349 |
| 27 |  Mandera | 867,457 | 49.85 | 50.14 | 125,763 | 33 |
| 28 |  Kwale | 866,820 | 50.95 | 49.04 | 173,176 | 105 |
| 29 |  Garissa | 841,353 | 45.44 | 54.55 | 141,394 | 19 |
| 30 |  Wajir | 781,263 | 46.82 | 53.14 | 127,932 | 14 |
| 31 |  Nyeri | 759,164 | 50.68 | 49.30 | 248,050 | 228 |
| 32 |  Baringo | 666,763 | 49.55 | 50.44 | 142,518 | 61 |
| 33 |  Nyandarua | 638,289 | 50.63 | 49.36 | 179,686 | 194 |
| 34 |  West Pokot | 621,241 | 50.56 | 49.42 | 116,182 | 68 |
| 35 |  Kirinyaga | 610,411 | 50.51 | 49.48 | 204,188 | 413 |
| 36 |  Embu | 608,599 | 50.01 | 49.99 | 182,743 | 216 |
| 37 |  Nyamira | 605,576 | 51.96 | 48.04 | 150,669 | 675 |
| 38 |  Vihiga | 590,013 | 51.92 | 48.08 | 143,365 | 1,047 |
| 39 |  Laikipia | 518,560 | 49.97 | 50.03 | 149,271 | 55 |
| 40 |  Marsabit | 459,785 | 47.03 | 52.97 | 77,495 | 6 |
| 41 |  Elgeyo/Marakwet | 454,480 | 49.97 | 50.02 | 99,861 | 150 |
| 42 |  Tharaka-Nithi | 393,177 | 50.69 | 49.28 | 109,860 | 153 |
| 43 |  Taita/Taveta | 340,671 | 49.12 | 50.88 | 96,429 | 20 |
| 44 |  Tana River | 315,943 | 49.82 | 50.18 | 68,242 | 8 |
| 45 |  Samburu | 310,327 | 49.48 | 50.52 | 65,910 | 15 |
| 46 |  Isiolo | 268,002 | 47.94 | 52.06 | 58,072 | 11 |
| 47 | Lamu | 143,920 | 47.11 | 52.87 | 37,963 | 23 |
Statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Total enumerated population | 47,564,296 |
| Male population | 23,548,056 |
| Female population | 24,014,716 |
| Intersex population | 1,524 |
| Number of households | 12,143,913 |
| Average household size | 3.9 |
| Economically active population aged 5 and above | 22.3 million |
| Working population aged 5 and above | 19.7 million |
| Population seeking work | 2.6 million |
| Population outside the labour force | 18.9 million |
| Youth aged 18–34 in the labour force | 10.1 million |
| Youth aged 15–24 in the labour force | 4.1 million |
| Households owning their main dwelling | 61.3% |
| Households occupying rented or provided dwellings | 38.7% |
| Dwellings with iron-sheet roofs | 80.3% |
| Dwellings with concrete or cement roofs | 8.2% |
| Dwellings with mud or cow-dung walls | 27.5% |
| Dwellings with stone walls using lime or cement | 16.5% |
| Dwellings with concrete walls | 16.3% |
| Dwellings with concrete or cement floors | 43.7% |
| Dwellings with earth or sand floors | 30.0% |
| Households relying on piped drinking water | 34.2% |
| Households using covered pit latrines | 51.2% |
| Households disposing of solid waste by open burning | 27.1% |
| Households using firewood for cooking | 55.1% |
| Households using liquefied petroleum gas for cooking | 23.9% |
| Households using mains electricity for lighting | 50.4% |
| Households using solar energy for lighting | 19.3% |
Religion
| County | Total population | Catholic | Protestant | Evangelical Churches | African Instituted Churches | Orthodox | Other Christian | Islam | Hindu | Traditionists | Other Religion | No religion / Atheists | Don't Know | Not Stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KENYA | 47,213,282 | 20.60% | 33.42% | 20.44% | 6.97% | 0.43% | 3.67% | 10.91% | 0.13% | 0.68% | 0.99% | 1.60% | 0.16% | 0.01% |
| Mombasa | 1,190,987 | 14.34% | 20.28% | 12.76% | 3.87% | 0.26% | 8.44% | 37.85% | 0.52% | 0.09% | 0.56% | 0.94% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| Kwale | 858,748 | 5.08% | 13.56% | 9.57% | 2.58% | 0.08% | 5.58% | 60.57% | 0.04% | 0.83% | 0.55% | 1.46% | 0.08% | 0.01% |
| Kilifi | 1,440,958 | 6.60% | 26.99% | 21.33% | 3.82% | 0.20% | 8.90% | 17.62% | 0.04% | 2.26% | 1.91% | 10.18% | 0.14% | 0.01% |
| Tana River | 314,710 | 3.59% | 7.27% | 2.16% | 1.28% | 0.06% | 3.54% | 81.48% | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.14% | 0.33% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Lamu | 141,909 | 9.63% | 15.78% | 11.82% | 3.94% | 0.18% | 5.61% | 50.59% | 0.03% | 0.27% | 0.65% | 1.41% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Taita/Taveta | 335,747 | 19.92% | 38.21% | 25.75% | 4.05% | 0.24% | 2.85% | 7.47% | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.45% | 0.90% | 0.08% | 0.01% |
| Garissa | 835,482 | 0.95% | 0.51% | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.01% | 0.58% | 97.64% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Wajir | 775,302 | 0.39% | 0.17% | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.29% | 98.97% | 0.08% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Mandera | 862,079 | 0.21% | 0.14% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.19% | 99.35% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Marsabit | 447,150 | 22.27% | 8.74% | 1.51% | 1.05% | 0.03% | 1.38% | 48.55% | 0.04% | 15.51% | 0.32% | 0.38% | 0.17% | 0.04% |
| Isiolo | 267,997 | 12.17% | 6.93% | 2.86% | 0.64% | 0.07% | 1.38% | 72.30% | 0.04% | 3.14% | 0.08% | 0.35% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| Meru | 1,535,635 | 20.40% | 40.06% | 23.82% | 8.42% | 0.62% | 2.96% | 0.82% | 0.02% | 0.13% | 1.23% | 1.37% | 0.15% | 0.02% |
| Tharaka-Nithi | 391,303 | 27.67% | 44.02% | 17.90% | 4.79% | 0.68% | 2.33% | 0.19% | 0.00% | 0.06% | 1.04% | 1.14% | 0.16% | 0.02% |
| Embu | 604,769 | 26.98% | 36.62% | 22.71% | 8.43% | 0.60% | 2.06% | 0.47% | 0.02% | 0.06% | 0.81% | 1.14% | 0.11% | 0.01% |
| Kitui | 1,130,134 | 20.80% | 44.31% | 22.01% | 5.37% | 0.20% | 2.73% | 0.79% | 0.00% | 0.38% | 1.09% | 2.10% | 0.20% | 0.01% |
| Machakos | 1,414,022 | 35.37% | 41.19% | 15.35% | 3.90% | 0.17% | 1.69% | 0.92% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.49% | 0.66% | 0.10% | 0.01% |
| Makueni | 977,015 | 29.89% | 49.10% | 13.51% | 3.74% | 0.10% | 1.33% | 0.67% | 0.01% | 0.09% | 0.49% | 0.90% | 0.15% | 0.01% |
| Nyandarua | 636,002 | 17.13% | 30.46% | 30.69% | 11.15% | 0.58% | 5.92% | 0.15% | 0.01% | 0.11% | 1.38% | 2.31% | 0.09% | 0.01% |
| Nyeri | 752,695 | 27.95% | 37.96% | 19.27% | 9.09% | 0.63% | 2.84% | 0.60% | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.61% | 0.81% | 0.13% | 0.00% |
| Kirinyaga | 605,630 | 29.61% | 39.73% | 20.19% | 5.63% | 0.38% | 2.40% | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.55% | 0.92% | 0.12% | 0.01% |
| Murang'a | 1,053,059 | 24.68% | 39.42% | 19.70% | 9.86% | 0.49% | 3.49% | 0.35% | 0.01% | 0.09% | 0.73% | 1.09% | 0.09% | 0.01% |
| Kiambu | 2,402,834 | 24.51% | 36.74% | 21.86% | 7.79% | 0.74% | 5.01% | 0.89% | 0.05% | 0.13% | 0.81% | 1.28% | 0.16% | 0.02% |
| Turkana | 922,210 | 44.07% | 28.82% | 9.47% | 2.44% | 0.30% | 1.87% | 3.34% | 0.01% | 4.71% | 0.95% | 2.75% | 1.22% | 0.05% |
| West Pokot | 618,867 | 31.15% | 37.64% | 13.12% | 7.08% | 0.40% | 2.29% | 0.42% | 0.00% | 3.17% | 1.57% | 2.93% | 0.20% | 0.02% |
| Samburu | 307,957 | 57.33% | 17.65% | 5.96% | 1.40% | 0.07% | 2.20% | 0.93% | 0.02% | 9.88% | 1.52% | 2.41% | 0.63% | 0.00% |
| Trans Nzoia | 985,333 | 20.64% | 35.13% | 30.71% | 7.03% | 0.37% | 2.76% | 1.01% | 0.04% | 0.16% | 0.74% | 1.27% | 0.14% | 0.01% |
| Uasin Gishu | 1,152,671 | 21.74% | 45.21% | 19.29% | 5.97% | 0.31% | 3.42% | 1.63% | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.83% | 1.24% | 0.12% | 0.01% |
| Elgeyo/Marakwet | 453,403 | 51.14% | 31.95% | 10.22% | 2.75% | 0.06% | 1.63% | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.11% | 0.65% | 1.15% | 0.09% | 0.01% |
| Nandi | 883,634 | 24.55% | 45.49% | 17.35% | 5.64% | 1.69% | 2.46% | 0.65% | 0.01% | 0.07% | 0.86% | 1.13% | 0.08% | 0.01% |
| Baringo | 662,760 | 18.50% | 44.06% | 16.84% | 6.08% | 0.15% | 4.29% | 0.79% | 0.01% | 3.56% | 1.85% | 3.58% | 0.29% | 0.00% |
| Laikipia | 513,879 | 28.75% | 29.71% | 21.15% | 6.86% | 0.32% | 5.42% | 1.65% | 0.04% | 1.39% | 1.41% | 3.05% | 0.24% | 0.01% |
| Nakuru | 2,142,667 | 16.31% | 32.85% | 30.23% | 7.19% | 0.57% | 6.53% | 1.19% | 0.08% | 0.21% | 1.43% | 3.16% | 0.23% | 0.01% |
| Narok | 1,149,379 | 13.28% | 36.32% | 30.53% | 5.02% | 0.54% | 6.23% | 0.42% | 0.02% | 1.39% | 1.96% | 3.97% | 0.32% | 0.01% |
| Kajiado | 1,107,296 | 18.43% | 41.72% | 23.54% | 4.86% | 0.38% | 5.44% | 2.42% | 0.03% | 0.31% | 1.11% | 1.36% | 0.37% | 0.02% |
| Kericho | 896,863 | 11.06% | 44.15% | 29.25% | 6.23% | 0.33% | 4.34% | 0.27% | 0.05% | 0.15% | 1.26% | 2.79% | 0.09% | 0.02% |
| Bomet | 873,023 | 14.84% | 44.33% | 25.84% | 6.46% | 0.33% | 3.73% | 0.11% | 0.01% | 0.29% | 1.27% | 2.68% | 0.11% | 0.01% |
| Kakamega | 1,861,332 | 16.47% | 32.16% | 30.42% | 11.65% | 0.37% | 2.50% | 4.75% | 0.03% | 0.16% | 0.94% | 0.46% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| Vihiga | 587,189 | 3.80% | 34.36% | 40.98% | 15.11% | 0.84% | 2.29% | 0.99% | 0.01% | 0.20% | 0.79% | 0.57% | 0.07% | 0.01% |
| Bungoma | 1,663,898 | 17.55% | 43.02% | 28.10% | 5.30% | 0.30% | 2.44% | 1.30% | 0.03% | 0.23% | 0.92% | 0.71% | 0.09% | 0.01% |
| Busia | 886,856 | 30.03% | 29.08% | 27.84% | 6.75% | 0.35% | 2.08% | 1.91% | 0.02% | 0.13% | 1.00% | 0.74% | 0.08% | 0.01% |
| Siaya | 989,708 | 22.88% | 22.72% | 22.80% | 23.89% | 0.75% | 3.48% | 0.50% | 0.00% | 0.26% | 1.72% | 0.87% | 0.11% | 0.02% |
| Kisumu | 1,144,777 | 19.60% | 27.90% | 25.44% | 18.23% | 0.93% | 3.83% | 1.51% | 0.21% | 0.32% | 1.39% | 0.58% | 0.06% | 0.02% |
| Homa Bay | 1,125,823 | 16.34% | 38.47% | 21.41% | 17.84% | 0.60% | 2.56% | 0.66% | 0.01% | 0.30% | 1.34% | 0.42% | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Migori | 1,108,950 | 17.20% | 37.13% | 25.29% | 13.77% | 0.72% | 2.91% | 0.68% | 0.01% | 0.24% | 1.31% | 0.66% | 0.06% | 0.01% |
| Kisii | 1,260,509 | 34.06% | 45.70% | 14.97% | 2.08% | 0.20% | 1.27% | 0.22% | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.72% | 0.68% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| Nyamira | 603,051 | 25.35% | 54.17% | 14.92% | 2.12% | 0.13% | 1.70% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.89% | 0.56% | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Nairobi | 4,337,080 | 24.02% | 31.33% | 20.70% | 7.08% | 0.53% | 5.19% | 7.54% | 0.88% | 0.16% | 1.07% | 1.26% | 0.21% | 0.03% |
Urban Centers
Controversies
The 2019 census faced criticism over the accuracy of population figures, recruitment and deployment of enumerators, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. Following the publication of the results in November 2019, leaders in Garissa County, Wajir County and Mandera County disputed the reported populations alleging irregularities in enumeration and bias. In January 2025, the High Court in Garissa quashed the census results for 15 constituencies across the three counties and ordered a fresh census in the affected areas. The ruling was subsequently subject to appeal.
The National Gender and Equality Commission also identified concerns about the census questionnaires and enumeration procedures including the potential exclusion of special-interest groups from demographic statistics. It issued recommendations to improve data collection and inclusion of women, children, older people, people with disabilities, minorities and marginalised groups. The commission'l census observation report documented further gaps and recommendations concerning equality, inclusion and the collection of reliable demographic information.