Nyeri County

Nyeri County
County
Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya
Flag of Nyeri County
Flag
Location in Kenya
Location in Kenya
Country Kenya
Formed4 March 2013
CapitalNyeri
Government
 • GovernorMutahi Kahiga
Area
 • Total
3,325.0 km2 (1,283.8 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
 • Total
759,164
 • Density228.32/km2 (591.3/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
GDP (PPP)Increase $5.657B (14th)
Per Capita (PPP)Increase $6,841 (3rd)
Per Capita (nominal)Increase $2,512 (3rd)
GDP (nominal)Increase $2.077B (14th)
HDI (2023)0.678 (3rd)
- medium
Websitenyeri.go.ke

Nyeri County is a county located in the Mount Kenya region of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Nyeri. It had a population of 759,164 according to the 2019 census and an area of 2361 km2.

Mutahi Kahiga was governor as of 2022. Previous governors include Nderitu Gachagua, who died while receiving treatment in London, Wamathai Samuel Githaiga, and Wahome Gakuru, who died in a road accident at Kabati near Kenol heading towards Thika Super Highway. It is also the home county of the third president of Kenya, the late President Mwai Kibaki.

Religion

Religion in Nyeri County

Religion (2019 Census) Number
Catholicism210, 407
Protestant285,723
Evangelical Christianity145,046
African Instituted Churches68,441
Orthodox4,772
Other Christian Groups21,342
Islam4,501
Hindu171
Traditionists575
Other4,578
Atheists6,102
Don't Know1,001
Not Stated36

People

The county is located on the southwest flank of Mount Kenya. Local people are predominantly of the Kikuyu ethnicity.

Horse riding as a means of transport in the mountainous area
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1979 486,477—    
1989 607,292+24.8%
1999 661,156+8.9%
2009 693,558+4.9%
2019 759,164+9.5%
source:

Local authorities

Authority Type Population* Urban pop.*
NyeriMunicipality98,90846,969
KaratinaMunicipality6,8526,852
OthayaTown21,4274,108
Nyeri countyCounty533,96910,047
* 1999 census. Source:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

In reference to the 2022 general elections, the 3rd County Assembly was successfully formed. Its members are as follows:

Speaker – Hon. James Gichuhi Mwangi

Deputy Speaker - Hon. Samuel Kariuki Gichuki, MCA Ruring'u Ward

Majority Leader - Hon. James Kanyugo Mwangi, MCA Mahiga Ward

Majority Whip - Hon. Sabastian Mugo Theuri, Majority Whip, MCA Wamagana Ward


Elected MCAs

Name Ward Political Party
Hon. Atanasio Kabaire Gichohi Mukurwe-ini West UDA
Hon. Gathagu Stephen Kigotho Gikondi UDA
Hon. Gichuhi Jackson Kabingu Magutu UDA
Hon. Kabatha David Mwangi Iria-ini UDA
Hon. Kagwi Cyrus Ngure Rugi UDA
Hon. Kamau Martin Matu Naromoru-Kiamathaga UDA
Hon. Kanyi Patrick Wachira Thegu River IND
Hon. Kawanjiku Njuguna Wanjiku Mweiga Ward UDA
Hon. Kibiru Cyrus Ndiritu Mukurwe-ini Central IND
Hon. Kiragu Simon Mbogo Rware UDA
Hon. Kuruga Margaret Muthoni Kiganjo/Mathari IND
Hon. Mbichi Christopher Wambugu Mwiyogo/Endarasha UDA
Hon. Muriuki Erastus Karanja Ruguru UDA
Hon. Mwangi Johnstone Kamau Mugunda UDA
Hon. Ndagita Anthony Muriithi Maina Kirimukuyu UDA
Hon. Ndaini Julius Kamiri Konyu UDA
Hon. Ndegwa Clement Warutere Gatarakwa UDA
Hon. Njithi Ziporah Wangechi Gatitu Muruguru UDA
Hon. Nyaga Wilfred Wambari Iria-ini UDA
Hon. Taiti Jonah Kamau Kamakwa/Mukaro UDA
Hon. Thuku Meshack Kiruga Chinga UDA
Hon. Wachira Charity Wangui Gakawa UDA
Hon. Wahinya Gibson Kuria Dedan Kimathi UDA
Hon. Wakibia Stanely Ngaru Aguthi/Gaaki IND
Hon. Wambui Patrick Muriithi Kabaru Ward UDA
Hon. Wanderi Eunice Wagaki Karima ANC
Hon. Weru Watson Mburungo Karatina Town UDA

Nominated MCAs

Name Position Party
Hon. Gichuki Pauline Nyokabi People With Disabilities UDA
Hon. Kamiru Janet Muthoni Gender UDA
Hon. Macharia Agnes Wanjiru Ethnicity UDA
Hon. Mwangi Jane Wandia Ethnicity UDA
Hon. Mwangi Priscilla Thanji Gender UDA
Hon. Nderitu Fidelis Wangui Gender UDA
Hon. Nyawira Emma Wangui Gender UDA
Hon. Thumbi Ann Muthoni Gender UDA
Hon. Wachira Agnes Wanjiku Gender UDA
Hon. Wambui Kelvin Kariithi Youth UDA
Hon. Wanyitu Lucy Mugure Gender UDA

Administrative divisions

Sub-counties Population* Urban pop.* Headquarters
Kieni east00Naro Moru
Kieni west00Mweiga
Mathira east00Karatina
Mukurwe-ini00Mukurwe-ini
Nyeri Central00Nyeri
Nyeri South(Othaya)03,846Othaya
Tetu02,022Wamagana
Mathira West 0 Kaiyaba
* 1999 census. Sources: , ,

Constituencies

The county has six constituencies:

Central Kenya Region

Urbanisation

Urbanisation in Central Kenya
County
Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kiambu County
60.8
Nyeri County
54.21
Nyandarua County
18.5
Muranga County
16.3
Kirinyaga County
15.8
Kenya Average
32.3

Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya

Source: OpenDataKenya

Wealth/poverty level

Wealth/Poverty Level in Central Kenya
County
Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Per cent)
Kirinyaga County
20.0
Muranga County
28.5
Kiambu County
28.9
Nyeri County
19.30
Nyandarua County
46.6
Kenya Average
45.9

Poverty level by County

Source: OpenDataKenya Worldbank

Education

Secondary schools
Colleges
Universities

See also

References

  1. ↑ "I'm not disputing census figures, they are accurate – Governor Kahiga". The Star (Kenya). 5 November 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "Gdp ppp". 2024.
  3. ↑ "Gdp per Capita". 2024.
  4. ↑ "Gdp per Capita". 2024.
  5. ↑ "Gdp". 2024.
  6. ↑ Statista. "Kenyan counties by human development index". Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ↑ Nyawira, Lydia (19 May 2022). "Nyeri: Governor Kahiga picks David Kinarire as running mate". The Standard.
  9. ↑ Okumu, Patel. "Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua is dead". The Standard. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  10. ↑ Gichure, Nderitu. "Revealed: Former Nyeri Governor Gakuru's driver did not apply brakes during tragic crash". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Komu, Nicholas (27 April 2022). "Othaya town gets a makeover ahead of Kibaki burial". Nation. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics" (PDF). Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  13. ↑ KENYA: Administrative Division population statistics
  14. ↑ "3rd Assembly – Nyeri County Assembly". Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  15. ↑ "3rd Assembly – Nyeri County Assembly". Retrieved 2 December 2022.

0°25′S 36°57′E / 0.417°S 36.950°E / -0.417; 36.950