Tribe and Ethnicity in Kenya - Number of People by Tribe

According to the 2019 census, Kenya's population was 47,564,296.^[1] This population is distributed across 46 tribes and ethnicities, including Kenyan Americans, Kenyan Europeans, and Kenyan Asians.^[2]

Our population also includes individuals who do not identify with any tribe and choose to identify as Kenyans. In 2019, a total of 183,023 individuals identified as Kenyans rather than with a tribe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the largest tribe in Kenya – The Kikuyu, with a population of 8,148,668.
2. What is the number of Luhyas in Kenya – The Luhya are the second largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 6,823,842. The Luhya can be divided further into 18 sub-tribes.
3. What is the number of Kalenjin in Kenya – The Kalenjin are the third largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 6,358,113. However, the Kalenjin can be divided further into 17 sub-tribes.
4. What is the number of Luos in Kenya – The Luo are the fourth largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 5,066,966.
5. What is the number of Kamba people in Kenya? The Kamba are the fifth largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 4,663,910. 
6. What is the number of Somalis in Kenya? The Somali are the sixth largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 2,780,502. However, the Somali tribe can be divided further into 9 sub-tribes or clans.

Population of all tribes and ethnicities in Kenya

1. Kikuyu 8,148,668
2. Luhya 6,823,842
3. Kalenjin         6,358,113
4. Luo     5,066,966
5. Kamba          4,663,910
6. Somali          2,780,502
7. Kisii    2,703,325
8. Mijikenda      2,488,691
9. Meru  1,975,869
10. Maasai         1,189,522
11. Turkana        1,016,174
12. Teso   417,670
13. Embu 404,801
14. Taita   344,415
15. Samburu       333,471
16. Kuria  313,854
17. Borana          276,236
18. Tharaka        220,015
19. Mbeere         195,250
20. Kenyan so stated    183,023
21. Orma  158,993
22. Suba  157,787
23. Gabra 141,200
24. Pokomo        112,075
25. Rendile         96,313
26. Bajuni 91,422
27. Kenyan Arabs         59,021
28. Swahili          56,074
29. Kenyan Asians        47,555
30. Burji    36,938
31. Njemps         32,949
32. Sakuye         27,006
33. Taveta 26,590
34. Dorobo         23,171
35. Walwana       21,774
36. Nubi   21,319
37. Aweer 20,103
38. Dasenach     19,337
39. Makonde      3,764
40. Wayyu          3,761
41. Kenyan European    1,738
42. Konso 1,299
43. El Molo         1,104
44. Gosha 685
45. Kenyan American    596
46. Dahalo          575

Various tribes in Kenya, such as the Kalenjin, the Luhya, Somali, Mijikenda, and Swahili, have subtribes, which are smaller compositions of clans and closely related ethnic groups with linguistic and genetic proximity.

The 2019 census breaks down each of these tribes into its constituent sub-tribes.

The Luhya

For instance, Luhyas in Kenya can be divided into the following sub-tribes.

1. Luhya (So stated)    3,944,257
2. Bukusu         1,188,963
3. Maragoli       334,926
4. Banyala        227,165
5. Banyore        154,553
6. Kabras          136,962
7. Isukha 101,789
8. Wanga          94,190
9. Tiriki   93,393
10. Tachoni         85,597
11. Samia 84,828
12. Batsotso       72,687
13. Bakhayo       68,703
14. Marachi        65,633
15. Idakho 54,661
16. Marama        43,075
17. Kisa    35,135
18. Abakhenye    24,468
19. Batura 12,857

The data show that a majority of the Luhya prefer not to identify with any specific subtribe. As a result, the Luhya so stated, or the individuals only claiming a Luhya identity, were the largest at 3,944,257, which is more than half of the total Luhya population.

The largest Luhya subtribe is Bukusu, with a population of 1,188,963. The second largest group is the Maragoli, with a population of 334,926. The third largest is the Banyala, with a population of 227,165.

The Luhya community primarily occupies and resides in the western region of Kenya, in counties such as Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga. The Luhya also form a significant population in Nairobi County. Recent and lifetime migration data shows that the highest number of migrants into Nairobi came from western counties like Kakamega and Bungoma.

The Kalenjin

The Kalenjin tribe in Kenya can also be subdivided into constituent subtribes, as shown below.

1. Kipsigis         1,905,983
2. Kalenjin (So stated) 1,553,057
3. Nandi  937,884
4. Pokot  778,408
5. Sabaot/Kony/Bong'omek    296,374
6. Keiyo  251,441
7. Tugen 197,566
8. Marakwet      119,969
9. Arror   92,470
10. Lembus        71,600
11. Ogiek 52,596
12. Endorois       45,621
13. Terik   23,324
14. Samor 12,211
15. Sengwer       10,729
16. Cherangany  8,323
17. Endo  400
18. Senger         167

The Kipsigis are the largest Kalenjin subtribe, with a population of 1,905,983. The Kalenjin so stated, or those who prefer to go by the general identity of Kalenjin, were the second largest at 1,553,057. 

The Kalenjin in Kenya occupy and reside in regions of the previous Rift Valley Province, including West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, and Bomet.

The Somali

The Somalis of Kenya are primarily located in the Northeastern Province in counties such as Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.

These regions are predominantly Muslim, with data showing, for instance, that the Muslim population in Mandera County was 177.7 times larger than the Christian population. In Wajir, the Muslim population was 107 times larger than the Christian population, and in Garissa, it was 44 times larger.

The Somali in Kenya can be divided into nine constituent subtribes or clans, as shown below.

1. Ogaden        697,566
2. Gurreh          602,174
3. Kenyan Somali (So stated) 579,701
4. Degodia        515,583
5. Ajuran 182,276
6. Murule          139,097
7. Corner Tribes          40,640
8. Leysan         11,636
9. Isaak  7,417
10. Hawiyah        4,412

The Ogaden are the largest Somali clan in Kenya, followed by the Gurreh. However, a significant number (579,701) do not identify with any specific Somali clan and choose to identify as Somali only. 

Counties predominantly occupied by the Somali in Kenya, such as Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, are known to have higher fertility rates, which drives faster population growth in the region.

The Mijikenda

The word Mijikenda directly translates to the nine tribes, primarily found in the Coast Province of Kenya.

1. Giriama        1,007,653
2. Duruma        555,135
3. Digo/Wafundi/Wasakwa     409,595
4. Chonyi          198,653
5. Rabai  125,707
6. Kauma          71,061
7. Mijikenda (So stated)         40,724
8. Jibana 38,466
9. Kambe          31,007
10. Ribe   10,690

The Giriama are the largest Mijikenda subtribe, with a population of 1,007,653. The second largest Mijikenda tribe is the Duruma, followed by the Digo. 

The Swahili

The Swahili are a relatively smaller coastal group in Kenya occupying counties such as Mombasa, Kilifi, and Lamu. The largest Swahili subtribe is the Munyonya/Muyeya, followed by the Amu and Jomvu.

A majority of the Swahili prefer to identify as such rather than with any specific sub-tribe.

1. Swahili (So stated)  17,232
2. Munyonya/Muyeya  15,024
3. Amu   5,143
4. Jomvu 4,728
5. Barawa         4,633
6. Vumba          1,449
7. Wachangamwe       1,344
8. Pate   1,120
9. Ngare 1,057
10. Siu     1,016
11. Wakilifi          685
12. Wakilindini     642
13. Watangana   531
14. Mvita  402
15. Chitundi        319
16. Wamtwapa    240
17. Washaka      165
18. Watikuu        162
19. Wakatwa       113
20. Wafaza         69

See Also

1. Number of Muslims in Kenya
2. Number of Christians in Kenya
3. The population of Kenya 2024

References