Kenya’s 47 Counties and Their Administrative Headquarters
Kenya’s 2010 Constitution established 47 county governments to decentralize administration and bring governance closer to the people. Each county operates from its designated headquarters, serving as the center for local government operations. This comprehensive guide presents all counties with their official administrative capitals.
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County Headquarters Directory
| County Number | County Name | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mombasa | Mombasa City |
| 2 | Kwale | Kwale Town |
| 3 | Kilifi | Kilifi Town |
| 4 | Tana River | Hola |
| 5 | Lamu | Lamu Town |
| 6 | Taita–Taveta | Mwatate |
| 7 | Garissa | Garissa Town |
| 8 | Wajir | Wajir Town |
| 9 | Mandera | Mandera Town |
| 10 | Marsabit | Marsabit Town |
| 11 | Isiolo | Isiolo Town |
| 12 | Meru | Meru Town |
| 13 | Tharaka-Nithi | Kathwana |
| 14 | Embu | Embu Town |
| 15 | Kitui | Kitui Town |
| 16 | Machakos | Machakos Town |
| 17 | Makueni | Wote |
| 18 | Nyandarua | Ol Kalou |
| 19 | Nyeri | Nyeri Town |
| 20 | Kirinyaga | Kerugoya |
| 21 | Murang’a | Murang’a Town |
| 22 | Kiambu | Kiambu Town |
| 23 | Turkana | Lodwar |
| 24 | West Pokot | Kapenguria |
| 25 | Samburu | Maralal |
| 26 | Trans-Nzoia | Kitale |
| 27 | Uasin Gishu | Eldoret |
| 28 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | Iten |
| 29 | Nandi | Kapsabet |
| 30 | Baringo | Kabarnet |
| 31 | Laikipia | Nanyuki |
| 32 | Nakuru | Nakuru City |
| 33 | Narok | Narok Town |
| 34 | Kajiado | Kajiado Town |
| 35 | Kericho | Kericho Town |
| 36 | Bomet | Bomet Town |
| 37 | Kakamega | Kakamega Town |
| 38 | Vihiga | Mbale |
| 39 | Bungoma | Bungoma Town |
| 40 | Busia | Busia Town |
| 41 | Siaya | Siaya Town |
| 42 | Kisumu | Kisumu City |
| 43 | Homa Bay | Homa Bay Town |
| 44 | Migori | Migori Town |
| 45 | Kisii | Kisii Town |
| 46 | Nyamira | Nyamira Town |
| 47 | Nairobi | Nairobi City |
Understanding Kenya’s Devolved Government System
Kenya’s county governments were established to:
- Enhance service delivery at the local level
- Promote equitable development across regions
- Increase public participation in governance
- Manage county-specific resources and projects
Each county headquarters serves as:
- The administrative nerve center for county operations
- The location of county government offices
- The venue for county assembly sessions
Key Facts:
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- Nairobi serves as both a county and national capital
- Some headquarters like Nanyuki (Laikipia) and Eldoret (Uasin Gishu) are major urban centers
- Others like Kathwana (Tharaka-Nithi) were established as new administrative towns
READ MORE: Guide to Sub-Counties in Uasin Gishu County
