Report Reveals Richest and Poorest Counties in Kenya
A new report released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has listed Nairobi as the richest county in Kenya, accounting for 27.5 percent of the country’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Nairobi’s contribution to the overall GDP is nearly four times more than that of Kiambu, which was ranked the second-richest county with a 5.9 percent share of the national annual economic output, according to the Gross County Product (GCP) 2021 report.
Mombasa emerged as the third wealthiest county with a contribution of 5.2 percent followed by Nakuru (4.9 percent) and Machakos (3.5 percent). The top five counties contribute 47 percent of the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Other rich counties include Meru (3.2 percent), Kisumu (2.6 percent), Uasin-Gishu (2.4 percent), Kilifi (2.2 percent), Kajiado (2.2 percent), Kakamega (2.2 percent), Nyeri (2.1 percent), Bungoma (2.1 percent), Muranga (2 percent) and Kisii (2 percent).
The report named Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River, and Lamu as the poorest counties, with each accounting for 0.3 percent of Kenya’s national economic output. Others are Wajir, Mandera, and Marsabit, contributing 0.5 percent each to the GDP.
KNBS describes the Gross County Product (GCP) as the net value of goods and services produced within the boundaries of a specific county.
“The bottom 10 counties in terms of contribution were majorly those from arid and semi-arid areas. The main economic activity in these areas is animal production, while the contribution of gross value added of other activities such as growing of crops, manufacturing, transportation and real estate was insignificant,” said KNBS.
The richest counties are associated with large populations in urban centers, backed by thriving economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, financial and real estate as well as wholesale and retail trade, according to the study.
Comments (15)
Turkana richest with massive oil.
It's a mirage. Few billion barbells is not exciting. What they discovered in TZ and Uganda is more
What is happening with Mombasa county surely how can it be after Kiambu what are these people producing coffee or potatoes to KFC.How accurate are some of this surveys
Mombasa has a very busy port and quite a few five star hotels plus a very busy airport. Add the oil terminus and you will see why
I thought Turkana oil will save Kenyans from poverty on discovery.But i wish hungry billionaires knew crude oil is exported for refining then imported by Ihuru and Raila through their RUBIS ENERGY Co.Kenyans are sliding down to destitution due to heavy taxation to pay loans looted by Ihuru & Co elite gangsters.Contrary to many fools(in denial) who were tribally defending him,Ihuru himself boasted in public to presiding over looting of shs 2b daily.He had previously challenged muuaji Raila to join them in “MEAT EATING” and I hope Raila supporters who celebrated 2018 handshake receive loot share dividends.
Turkana oil is a mirage. It would be better for local consumption. Nothing much.
Who would’ve thought Nairobi is the richest county in Kenya. I had no idea. Internet never lies.
This is a BS report. Seems like biased on what was shown KIKUYUS control most of the assets . My issue is the wealth distribution is not what our forefathers fought for.
Feasible solution: Cut the Counties to 27 (from 47) by Merging 40 of them into 20 Counties.
Taming corruption from the TOP(not from sub-chief/constable receiving shs 200 for changaa but Uhuru’s shs 2b.daily loots)and downsizing the bloated/useless govt are the only long-term solutions to cut poverty and high cost of living.Hungry billionaires must now declare ENOUGH IS ENOUGH-NO MORE LOANS TO LOOT AFTER PAYING SALARIES.But that won’t be enough without the punishing the current elite gangsters who MUST FACE THE FIRING SQUAD WTHOUT MERCY.
Knowing these information does not add value to the lives of Kenyans surviving on 112 schillings per day. The government should fix income inequalities then I will say something is being done.
So..the counties that are recieving most are contributing almost zero under national wealth distribution? These devolved fund allocations should have had limitations so that over time bottom counties will rise up and match what they get from the national government funds. Tacking insecurity and cultures that stifle development should be their priorities. Every county has something to contribute and especially the so called marginalized northern counties.
Call me tribalistic if you want to but the fact remains; wealth creation is cultural. There are some communities who are born consumers and not producers and would rather have a V8, huge big screen tv and live in a rented mabati house and yet are earning millions per month. I know what I am talking about, I am from such a community. Iwinjo?
Comrade MakOnyango,
This is just a notion. I have several friends from Railas back yard. They are living the dream now, but we struggled together, we cried and consoled each other, but all of us started from humble backgrounds.
what is this report supposed to tell us?That we should pat Nairobi on the back? I think not...
Even if the study was not done,pretty much most Kenyans would tell you what the poorest counties are.
Loot at the the infrastructure,and amenities ,in those poor places,and that will tell you why they are poor.
Places like Isiolo could be transformed overnight if we moved afew production industries there,or ,make it an IT hub.Nairobi is over crowded anyway.