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
- Which is the largest tribe in Kenya – The Kikuyu, with a population of 8,148,668.
- 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.
- 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.
- What is the number of Luos in Kenya – The Luo are the fourth largest tribe in Kenya, with a population of 5,066,966.
- 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.
- 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
- Kikuyu 8,148,668
- Luhya 6,823,842
- Kalenjin 6,358,113
- Luo 5,066,966
- Kamba 4,663,910
- Somali 2,780,502
- Kisii 2,703,325
- Mijikenda 2,488,691
- Meru 1,975,869
- Maasai 1,189,522
- Turkana 1,016,174
- Teso 417,670
- Embu 404,801
- Taita 344,415
- Samburu 333,471
- Kuria 313,854
- Borana 276,236
- Tharaka 220,015
- Mbeere 195,250
- Kenyan so stated 183,023
- Orma 158,993
- Suba 157,787
- Gabra 141,200
- Pokomo 112,075
- Rendile 96,313
- Bajuni 91,422
- Kenyan Arabs 59,021
- Swahili 56,074
- Kenyan Asians 47,555
- Burji 36,938
- Njemps 32,949
- Sakuye 27,006
- Taveta 26,590
- Dorobo 23,171
- Walwana 21,774
- Nubi 21,319
- Aweer 20,103
- Dasenach 19,337
- Makonde 3,764
- Wayyu 3,761
- Kenyan European 1,738
- Konso 1,299
- El Molo 1,104
- Gosha 685
- Kenyan American 596
- 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.
- Luhya (So stated) 3,944,257
- Bukusu 1,188,963
- Maragoli 334,926
- Banyala 227,165
- Banyore 154,553
- Kabras 136,962
- Isukha 101,789
- Wanga 94,190
- Tiriki 93,393
- Tachoni 85,597
- Samia 84,828
- Batsotso 72,687
- Bakhayo 68,703
- Marachi 65,633
- Idakho 54,661
- Marama 43,075
- Kisa 35,135
- Abakhenye 24,468
- 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.
- Kipsigis 1,905,983
- Kalenjin (So stated) 1,553,057
- Nandi 937,884
- Pokot 778,408
- Sabaot/Kony/Bong'omek 296,374
- Keiyo 251,441
- Tugen 197,566
- Marakwet 119,969
- Arror 92,470
- Lembus 71,600
- Ogiek 52,596
- Endorois 45,621
- Terik 23,324
- Samor 12,211
- Sengwer 10,729
- Cherangany 8,323
- Endo 400
- 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.
- Ogaden 697,566
- Gurreh 602,174
- Kenyan Somali (So stated) 579,701
- Degodia 515,583
- Ajuran 182,276
- Murule 139,097
- Corner Tribes 40,640
- Leysan 11,636
- Isaak 7,417
- 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.
- Giriama 1,007,653
- Duruma 555,135
- Digo/Wafundi/Wasakwa 409,595
- Chonyi 198,653
- Rabai 125,707
- Kauma 71,061
- Mijikenda (So stated) 40,724
- Jibana 38,466
- Kambe 31,007
- 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.
- Swahili (So stated) 17,232
- Munyonya/Muyeya 15,024
- Amu 5,143
- Jomvu 4,728
- Barawa 4,633
- Vumba 1,449
- Wachangamwe 1,344
- Pate 1,120
- Ngare 1,057
- Siu 1,016
- Wakilifi 685
- Wakilindini 642
- Watangana 531
- Mvita 402
- Chitundi 319
- Wamtwapa 240
- Washaka 165
- Watikuu 162
- Wakatwa 113
- Wafaza 69
