Kenya’s population has expanded by nine million in the last 10 years, provisional 2019 census data released today (Monday) show.
There are 47,564,296 million people in the country compared to 38.6 million in 2010.
The figures show that there are slightly more women at 24,014,716 million than men, who stand at 23,548,056
The intersex population stands at 1,524.
Most Populous Counties
According to the report, the most populous counties are the capital Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kakamega, Bungoma, Meru and Kilifi.
Nairobi has 4.4 million people while both Kiambu and Nakuru have more than two million residents.
Fifteen other counties have a population of over one million led by Kakamega at 1.87m, Bungoma 1.67m, Meru 1.54m and Kilifi at 1.45m.
Others are Mombasa, Kitui, Machakos, Murang’a, Uasin Gishu, Narok, Kajiado, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Kisii.
Kiambu population had the highest increase (by a whopping 49% ) The growth of residential estates along Thika Superhighway and Southern bypass has had a considerable impact on Kiambu County’s population growth.
Mandera had a negative population growth
Household Size
In terms of household size, data show counties in northern Kenya have the largest families.
Mandera leads with an average household size of 6.9 persons per family.
It is followed by Wajir at 6.1, Garissa 5.9, Marsabit 5.8, and Turkana 5.6.
Rift Valley’s West Pokot is also among counties with family sizes that average five persons at 5.3, while coastal county of Kwale at 5.0.
In Nairobi, household sizes are the lowest at 2.9.
In central Kenya, Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Kiambu are at 3.0, while Murang’a and Embu stand at 3.3 which are among the lowest in the country. Mombasa stands at 3.1.
The national average household size is 3.9.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged other arms of Government, counties, stakeholders and development partners to make use of the results in their planning processes.
