Kenya's total population was 53,331,000 in 2025.[1] This reflects a 1.7% increase in the number of people between 2024 and 2025.
The county with the highest population in 2025 was Nairobi, which had a total population of 4.9 million.
Historical population figures
The chart below shows Kenya’s population figures between censuses from 1969 to 2025.[2]
2025 – 53.3 million
2019 – 47.6 million
2009 – 37.7 million
1999 – 28.7 million
1989 – 21.4 million
1979 – 15.3 million
1969 – 10.9 million
The population of Kenya is expected to continue growing
Kenya’s population is expected to continue growing steadily for the foreseeable future. According to the UN World Population Prospects, Kenya’s population is expected to reach 104.2 million in 2100.[3]
Similarly, drawing from the 2019 census figures, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics projected that Kenya’s population will reach 57.8 million in 2030 and 70.2 million in 2045.
These projected population figures are usually calculated based on the country's total fertility rate, migration in and out of the country, death rates, and birth rates.
The Population of Kenya by County
Counties with the highest population in Kenya in 2025 were Nairobi with 4,906,000 people, followed by Kiambu at 2,754,000, Nakuru at 2,445,000, Kakamega at 2,073,000, Bungoma at 2,073,000, Meru at 1,666,000, Kilifi at 1,737,000, Machakos at 1,518,000, Kisii at 1,370,000, Mombasa at 1,368,000, and Narok 1,355,000.
|
County |
Projected Population 2025 |
|
4,906,000 |
|
|
2,754,000 |
|
|
Nakuru |
2,445,000 |
|
Kakamega |
2,073,000 |
|
Bungoma |
1,845,000 |
|
Meru |
1,666,000 |
|
Kilifi |
1,637,000 |
|
Machakos |
1,518,000 |
|
Kisii |
1,370,000 |
|
Mombasa |
1,368,000 |
|
Narok |
1,355,000 |
|
Kajiado |
1,328,000 |
|
Uasin Gishu |
1,307,000 |
|
Migori |
1,292,000 |
|
Kisumu |
1,290,000 |
|
Homa Bay |
1,278,000 |
|
Kitui |
1,259,000 |
|
Murang’a |
1,136,000 |
|
Trans Nzoia |
1,108,000 |
|
Siaya |
1,097,000 |
|
Turkana |
1,074,000 |
|
Makueni |
1,065,000 |
|
Mandera |
1,007,000 |
|
Busia |
1,006,000 |
|
Kwale |
988,000 |
|
Nandi |
982,000 |
|
Kericho |
980,000 |
|
Garissa |
971,000 |
|
Bomet |
965,000 |
|
Wajir |
915,000 |
|
Nyeri |
863,000 |
|
Baringo |
764,000 |
|
Nyandarua |
721,000 |
|
West Pokot |
706,000 |
|
Nyamira |
665,000 |
|
Kirinyaga |
664,000 |
|
Embu |
662,000 |
|
Vihiga |
636,000 |
|
Laikipia |
583,000 |
|
Marsabit |
539,000 |
|
Elgeyo Marakwet |
509,000 |
|
Tharaka Nithi |
425,000 |
|
Taita Taveta |
373,000 |
|
Tana River |
370,000 |
|
Samburu |
367,000 |
|
Isiolo |
330,000 |
|
Lamu |
176,000 |
The counties with the lowest population in Kenya in 2025 were Lamu, with 176,000 people; Isiolo, with 330,000; Samburu, with 367,000; Tana River, with 370,000; Taita Taveta, with 373,000; Tharaka Nithi, with 425,000, Elgeyo Marakwet, with 509,000, Marsabit, with 539,000, Laikipia, with 583,000, and Vihiga, with 636,000.
The chart below shows counties with more than a million people in Kenya.
See Also
- The Population of Kenya 2024
- The Population of Kenya 2019
- UN Population Prospects – Kenya population 2025 – 2100.
References
[1] KNBS. (2022). 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census: Analytical report on population projections (Vol. XVI, p. 25).
[2] KNBS. (2022). 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census: Population by county and subcounty (Vol. I, p. 7).
[3] United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition
