The ISO 3166-2:KE county codes represent a standardized coding system for identifying Kenya’s 47 counties. These codes were introduced following the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, which replaced the country’s former provincial administration with devolved county governments. Each county now has a two-part code: the first part being “KE” (for Kenya), and the second part a two-digit number ranging from 01 to 47.
This system is part of the broader ISO 3166 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to create global consistency in referencing geographic subdivisions like provinces, states, or counties. The ISO 3166-2:KE county codes provide a vital reference for data exchange, statistical analysis, governance, logistics, and geolocation services across Kenya.
Structure of ISO 3166-2:KE Codes
Each ISO 3166-2:KE code consists of:
- KE – the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code for Kenya
- Two-digit number – identifying the specific county
For example:
- KE-30 corresponds to Nairobi City
- KE-01 corresponds to Baringo County
These codes are used in both English (en) and Swahili (sw), Kenya’s two official languages, and are maintained by the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency (ISO 3166/MA).
List of Kenya’s ISO 3166-2 County Codes
Here is a complete list of the 47 counties and their corresponding ISO 3166-2:KE codes:
| ISO Code | County Name |
|---|---|
| KE-01 | Baringo |
| KE-02 | Bomet |
| KE-03 | Bungoma |
| KE-04 | Busia |
| KE-05 | Elgeyo/Marakwet |
| KE-06 | Embu |
| KE-07 | Garissa |
| KE-08 | Homa Bay |
| KE-09 | Isiolo |
| KE-10 | Kajiado |
| KE-11 | Kakamega |
| KE-12 | Kericho |
| KE-13 | Kiambu |
| KE-14 | Kilifi |
| KE-15 | Kirinyaga |
| KE-16 | Kisii |
| KE-17 | Kisumu |
| KE-18 | Kitui |
| KE-19 | Kwale |
| KE-20 | Laikipia |
| KE-21 | Lamu |
| KE-22 | Machakos |
| KE-23 | Makueni |
| KE-24 | Mandera |
| KE-25 | Marsabit |
| KE-26 | Meru |
| KE-27 | Migori |
| KE-28 | Mombasa |
| KE-29 | Murang’a |
| KE-30 | Nairobi City |
| KE-31 | Nakuru |
| KE-32 | Nandi |
| KE-33 | Narok |
| KE-34 | Nyamira |
| KE-35 | Nyandarua |
| KE-36 | Nyeri |
| KE-37 | Samburu |
| KE-38 | Siaya |
| KE-39 | Taita/Taveta |
| KE-40 | Tana River |
| KE-41 | Tharaka-Nithi |
| KE-42 | Trans Nzoia |
| KE-43 | Turkana |
| KE-44 | Uasin Gishu |
| KE-45 | Vihiga |
| KE-46 | Wajir |
| KE-47 | West Pokot |
Transition from Provinces to Counties
Prior to 2014, ISO codes for Kenya were based on the 8 provinces. These were deprecated in favor of counties after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution and are no longer in official use. Below are the former province codes:
| Old ISO Code | Province Name (EN) | Province Name (SW) |
|---|---|---|
| KE-110 | Nairobi | Nairobi |
| KE-200 | Central | Kati |
| KE-300 | Coast | Pwani |
| KE-400 | Eastern | Mashariki |
| KE-500 | North Eastern | Kaskazini Mashariki |
| KE-600 | Nyanza | Nyanza |
| KE-700 | Rift Valley | Bonde la Ufa |
| KE-800 | Western | Magharibi |
These changes were officially reflected in ISO’s Online Browsing Platform (OBP) and formal newsletters. The shift from provinces to counties underscores Kenya’s commitment to devolution and enhanced local governance.
Applications of ISO 3166-2:KE Codes
The ISO 3166-2:KE codes are used in:
- Government records and statistics
- International shipping and customs documentation
- Electoral and census databases
- Banking and geolocation services
- Logistics and parcel tracking
- Academic research and demographic mapping
Because they offer a globally consistent format, these codes are crucial for any organization operating across national or administrative boundaries within Kenya.
Conclusion
The ISO 3166-2:KE system provides an internationally recognized structure for referencing Kenya’s 47 counties. With each code uniquely identifying a devolved administrative unit, it enhances data clarity, governance, and coordination between national and international institutions.
