Administrative and Electoral Subdivisions of Kenya

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Since 2010, Kenya has implemented a new system of subdivisions, replacing the older structures. This transformation is rooted in the Constitution of 2010 and subsequent reforms to the Provincial Administration. The country transitioned to a system of Counties, marking a significant shift in local governance.

Under its old constitution, Kenya comprised eight provinces each headed by a Provincial Commissioner (centrally appointed by the president). The provinces (mkoa singular mikoa plural in Swahili) were subdivided into districts (wilaya). There were 69 districts at the 1999 census.

The previous Provinces were scrapped and the 46 Districts, in existence since 1992, were turned into Counties with elected governments. The City of Nairobi, which enjoyed the status of a full administrative province, would become a County. The counties are divided into sub-counties and a further 290 constituencies, then 1450 Wards (to coincide with the County Assembly Wards of the County Government), and Villages.

Local governance in Kenya is practiced through local authorities. Many urban centers host city, municipal or town councils. Local authorities in rural areas were known as county councils. Local Councillors were formerly elected by civic elections, held alongside general elections.

Here's a map of the counties of Kenya:

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Constituencies: Electoral Subdivisions

Constituencies are an electoral subdivision. The constituencies of Kenya are used to elect members of the National Assembly, the lower chamber of the Kenyan Parliament. Each constituency returns one Member of National Assembly.

In accordance with Article 89 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, there are 290 constituencies, based on a formula where these constituencies were to be delineated based on population numbers. Constituencies were introduced to Kenya during the colonial era. The first general election was held in 1920 in the then East Africa Protectorate, with 11 constituencies. Between 1920 and 1956, the number of constituencies rose from 11 to 28. In 1962, prior to independence the following year, the Royal Commission was tasked to create 100 constituencies.

The independence Constitution of Kenya provided that for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives, the constituencies should be between 110 and 130. The number of constituencies increased from 117 at independence to 290 in 2013.

Historical Delineations

There have been four major constituency delineations since independence: in 1966, 1986, 1996 and 2012. In 1966, the number rose from 117 to 158, to accommodate senators from the abolished Senate of Kenya. At this point the House of Representatives was renamed National Assembly. In 1986, an act of parliament allowed the number of constituencies to be increased from 158 to 188. The constituencies were effected during the 1988 Kenyan general election.

The constitution mandates that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) conduct a boundary review at a minimum of eight years and a maximum of twelve years. Since the last boundaries review was conducted in March 2012, by August 2024, long after the 12-year deadline, no review has been conducted.

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Here is a table summarizing the evolution of constituencies in Kenya:

YearNumber of ConstituenciesReason for Change
192011First general election in East Africa Protectorate
195628Increase over time
1962100Royal Commission
Independence117Initial number post-independence
1966158Accommodation of senators from abolished Senate
1986188Act of Parliament
2013290Current number

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List of Constituencies by Region

Below is a list of constituencies, grouped by region:

  1. Mombasa County: Changamwe, Jomvu, Kisauni, Nyali, Likoni
  2. Kwale County: Msambweni, Lunga Lunga, Matuga
  3. Kilifi County: Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Kaloleni, Rabai, Ganze, Malindi
  4. Tana River County: Garsen, Galole
  5. Lamu County: Lamu East
  6. Taita Taveta County: Taveta, Wundanyi, Mwatate
  7. Garissa County: Garissa Township (formerly Dujis Constituency), Balambala, Lagdera, Dadaab, Fafi
  8. Wajir County: Wajir North, Wajir East, Tarbaj, Wajir West, Eldas
  9. Mandera County: Mandera West, Banissa, Mandera North, Mandera South, Mandera East
  10. Marsabit County: Moyale, North Horr, Saku
  11. Isiolo County: Isiolo North
  12. Meru County: Igembe South, Igembe Central, Igembe North, Tigania West, Tigania East, North Imenti, Buuri, Central Imenti
  13. Tharaka Nithi County: Maara, Chuka/Igambang'ombe
  14. Embu County: Manyatta, Runyenjes, Mbeere South
  15. Kitui County: Mwingi North, Mwingi West, Mwingi Central, Kitui West, Kitui Rural, Kitui Central, Kitui East
  16. Machakos County: Masinga, Yatta, Kangundo, Matungulu, Kathiani, Mavoko, Machakos Town
  17. Makueni County: Mbooni, Kilome, Kaiti, Makueni, Kibwezi West
  18. Nyandarua County: Kinangop, Kipipiri, Ol Kalou, Ol Jorok
  19. Nyeri County: Tetu, Kieni, Mathira, Othaya, Mukurweini
  20. Kirinyaga County: Mwea, Gichugu, Ndia
  21. Murang'a County: Kangema, Mathioya, Kiharu, Kigumo, Maragwa, Kandara
  22. Kiambu County: Gatundu South, Gatundu North, Juja, Thika Town, Ruiru, Githunguri, Kiambu, Kiambaa, Kabete, Kikuyu, Limuru
  23. Turkana County: Turkana North, Turkana West, Turkana Central, Loima, Turkana South
  24. West Pokot County: Kapenguria, Sigor, Kacheliba
  25. Samburu County: Samburu West, Samburu North
  26. Trans Nzoia County: Kwanza, Endebess, Saboti, Kiminini
  27. Uasin Gishu County: Soy, Turbo, Moiben, Ainabkoi, Kapseret
  28. Elgeyo Marakwet County: Marakwet East, Marakwet West, Keiyo North
  29. Nandi County: Tinderet, Aldai, Nandi Hills, Chesumei, Emgwen
  30. Baringo County: Tiaty, Baringo North, Baringo Central, Baringo South, Mogotio
  31. Laikipia County: Laikipia West, Laikipia East
  32. Nakuru County: Molo, Njoro, Naivasha, Gilgil, Kuresoi South, Kuresoi North, Subukia, Rongai, Bahati, Nakuru Town West
  33. Narok County: Kilgoris, Emurua Dikirr, Narok North, Narok East, Narok South
  34. Kajiado County: Kajiado North, Kajiado Central, Kajiado East, Kajiado West
  35. Kericho County: Kipkelion East, Kipkelion West, Ainamoi, Bureti, Belgut
  36. Bomet County: Sotik, Chepalungu, Bomet East, Bomet Central
  37. Kakamega County: Lugari, Likuyani, Malava, Lurambi, Navakholo, Mumias West, Mumias East, Matungu, Butere, Khwisero, Shinyalu
  38. Vihiga County: Vihiga, Sabatia, Hamisi, Luanda
  39. Bungoma County: Mount Elgon, Sirisia, Kabuchai, Bumula, Kanduyi, Webuye East, Webuye West, Kimilili
  40. Busia County: Teso North, Teso South, Nambale, Matayos, Butula, Funyula
  41. Siaya County: Ugenya, Ugunja, Alego Usonga, Gem, Bondo
  42. Kisumu County: Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central, Seme, Nyando, Muhoroni
  43. Homa Bay County: Kasipul, Kabondo Kasipul, Karachuonyo, Rangwe, Homa Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Suba North
  44. Migori County: Rongo, Awendo, Suna East, Suna West, Uriri, Nyatike, Kuria West
  45. Kisii County: Bonchari, South Mugirango, Bomachoge Borabu, Bobasi, Bomachoge Chache, Nyaribari Masaba, Nyaribari Chache, Kitutu Chache North
  46. Nyamira County: Kitutu Masaba, West Mugirango, North Mugirango

Districts were then subdivided into 497 divisions (taarafa).

Local authorities in rural areas were known as county councils. Local Councillors were formerly elected by civic elections, held alongside general elections.

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