List of Richest Counties in Kenya. Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru are Kenya’s richest counties while Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River and Samburu are the poorest counties according to a new survey that shows five counties contribute 47 percent of the national annual economic output, also known as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Kenya ushered in devolution in 2013 to bridge the uneven distribution of wealth that the centralised system of governance entrenched. Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a specific time period by countries GDP (nominal) per capita does not, however, reflect differences in the cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries; therefore, using a basis of GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) may be more useful when comparing living standards between nations, while nominal GDP is more useful comparing national economies on the international market. Total GDP can also be broken down into the contribution of each industry or sector of the economy. The ratio of GDP to the total population of the region is the per capita GDP and the same is called Mean Standard of Living. The heavy concentration of economic power in the five counties indicates inequality in the country’s economic development, which has partly been attributed to the previous centralised system of government which guided sharing of resources since independence.
Mombasa (5.2 percent, Nakuru (4.9 percent) and Machakos (3.5 percent) complete the list of Kenya’s top five wealthiest counties in GDP terms.
The report also revealed the poorest counties which include Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River and Lamu contributing 0.3 percent each to Kenya’s national output.
Here are the Top Richest Counties in Kenya
Nairobi County
Nairobi is considered the wealthiest county in Kenya, Accountingting for 27.5% of total GDP. The capital city is more than three-and-a-half times larger in economic terms than Kiambu the second-richest county with a 5.9 percent share of the GDP. Nairobi, with a contribution of 27.5 percent to the overall GDP, is by far Kenya’s richest county, according to a new Kenya National Bureau of Statistics listing released.Nairobi is Kenya’s capital city. In addition to its urban core, the city has Nairobi National Park, a large game reserve known for breeding endangered black rhinos and home to giraffes, zebras and lions. Next to it is a well-regarded elephant orphanage operated by the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Nairobi is also often used as a jumping-off point for safari trips elsewhere in Kenya
Nakuru County
Nakuru county is the second wealthiest county in Kenya, with a GDP share of 6.1%. Nakuru County is a county in Kenya. It is County number 32 out of the 47 Kenyan Counties. The capital and largest town is Nakuru, with Naivasha being another major significant urban centre.
Kiambu County
Kiambu county comes up third with a GDP share of 5.9%. The main economic activity in this county is tea, coffee, dairy, poultry, and horticulture farming. Kiambu County is a county in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital is Kiambu and its largest town is Thika.
Mombasa County
Mombasa county is the leading country in tourism. This economic activity contributes to 68% of the wage employment. Mombasa County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. It is the capital and the only city in the county of Mombasa. Initially it was one of the former districts of Kenya but in 2013 it was reconstituted as a county, on the same boundaries.
Machakos County
Machakos county made it to the top five wealthiest counties in Kenya with a GDP of 3.4 percent. Machakos County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. Its capital is Machakos. Its largest town is Machakos, the country’s first administrative headquarters. The county had a population of 1,421,932 as of 2019.
Meru County
Meru county comes sixth with a GDP contribution of 2.9 percent. The county which Hon governs. Meru County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, located in the former Eastern Province. The county lies between 0° 6′ North and 0° 1′ South and between latitudes 37° West and 38° East.
Kisumu County
Kisumu county is now among the fast-growing cities in Kenya. The county contributes 2.9% of GDP. Kisumu is a Kenyan port city on Lake Victoria. It’s known for lakeside viewpoints at Dunga Hill Camp and Hippo Point. The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary shelters herds of impalas and zebras. Its animal orphanage is home to wildlife like cheetahs and baboons. The city’s Kisumu Museum displays artifacts related to the people of the Nyanza Province. Southwest, Ruma National Park has tall cliffs, roan antelope and birdlife
Area code: 057
Nyandarua County
Nyandarua county is the 8th richest county in Kenya, with a GDP share of 2.6%. Nyandarua County is a County in the former Central Province of Kenya. Its capital and largest town is Ol Kalou. Formerly the capital was Nyahururu, which is now part of the Laikipia County. Nyandarua County has population of 596,268 and an area of 3,304 km².
Kakamega County
Kakamega county is predominantly a crop farming economy and comes 9th with a GDP share of 2.4%. Kakamega is a town in western Kenya lying about 30 km north of the Equator. It is the headquarters of Kakamega County that has a population of 1,867,579. Kakamega is 52 km north of Kisumu, the tenth largest city in Kenya and considered the heart of Luhyaland. The average elevation of Kakamega is 1,535 metres.
Uasin Gishu County
Uasin Gishu county, whose main economic activity is agriculture. On has a GDP share of 2.3%. Uasin Gishu County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, located in the former Rift Valley Province. The city of Eldoret is the county’s largest population center as well as its administrative and commercial center. Uasin Gishu is located on a plateau and has a cool and temperate climate.
