Employment: Working Population in Kenya by County and Gender

Employment plays an important role in a country's economy. As of 2022, Kenya had an estimated working population of 20 million people.

Quick Facts

1. The total number of people in Kenya who were working in 2022 was 19,999,387.
2. The population of working men was 10,483,645.
3. The population of working women was 9,515,741.
4. Nairobi County had the highest working population at 2,191,913.
5. In Kisii, 54.4% of the working population were women.
6. Murang’a had the highest number of workers relative to its population.

Populous counties and large urban areas had the highest numbers of working people.

Kenya had a total working population of 19,999,387 people.^[1] Of these, 52.4% were men, while 47.6% were female.

The male working population in Kenya totaled 10,483,645, while the female working population was 9,515,741.

Large urban counties had the largest working populations. Nairobi City had the highest working population, at 2,191,913. Kiambu County followed with a working population of 1,285,151.

Others include Nakuru, with a working population of 947,626; Meru, at 771,570; Kakamega, at 727,720; Machakos, at 643,537; Murang'a, at 620,340; Kisii, at 597,082, and Bungoma, at 583,237.

Counties with the lowest population of working individuals were predominantly those with low populations. Samburu County had the lowest population of working people at 43,428.

Other counties with low working populations include Lamu with 44,926, Isiolo with 48,292, Tana River with 72,518, Marsabit with 98,210, Mandera with 108,402, Wajir with 142,927, Garissa with 148,326, and Taita Taveta with 154,240.

Fifteen counties had more women than men in the working population

Even though a majority of counties had more men in the working population than women, fifteen were exceptional and had more women than men.

Kisii County had the highest proportion of working women, with 54.4% of the working population being women. The next one was Meru County with 54% of the working population being women.

Other counties with more than half of their working populations being women include Kirinyaga 53.9%

1. Nyamira 53.5%
2. Laikipia 52.9%
3. Siaya 52.9%
4. Nyeri 52.6%
5. Makueni 52.5%
6. Homa Bay 52.3%
7. Busia 51.9%
8. Elgeyo Marakwet 51.7%
9. Nyandarua 51.7%
10. Migori 51.2%
11. Kakamega 50.9%
12. Bomet 50.3%

Counties with the lowest proportion of working women included:

1. Mandera 20.3%
2. Wajir 20.9%
3. Tana River 22.8%
4. Marsabit 27.2%
5. Garissa 30.9%
6. Isiolo 32.1%
7. Samburu 32.6%
8. Lamu 39.7%
9. Trans Nzoia 41.4%
10. Taita Taveta 41.5%

In six counties, more than half of the total population was working

A majority of the population in Murang’a, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu, and Nyandarua were working.

This could partially be attributed to the high median age in these counties, where a majority of the population is likely to consist of adults of working age. 

1. Murang’a 56.4%^[2]
2. Tharaka Nithi 56.3%
3. Kirinyaga 55.3%
4. Nyeri 55.2%
5. Embu 54.1%
6. Nyandarua 50.3%

The number of working people as a percentage of the total population was lowest in the following counties:

1. Mandera 11.6%
2. Samburu 12.8%
3. Isiolo 15.6%
4. Garissa 16.4%
5. Wajir 16.8%
6. Turkana 17.9%
7. Marsabit 19.5%

See Also

1. The population of Kenya by county in 2025
2. Kenya’s median age by county
3. Gross County Product: County GCP

Reference