In 2015, the Democratic Republic of the Congo formed 21 new provinces, including Kasaï-Oriental (French for “East Kasai”).
Kasaï-Oriental, Lomami, and Sankuru provinces were formed after the breakup of the previous Kasaï-Oriental province.
Kasaï-Oriental was founded from the Tshilenge district and the independently administered city of Mbuji-Mayi, which maintained its status as the provincial capital.
The new province encompasses the majority of the former Sud-Kasaï province, which existed from 1963 to 1966 after independence.
| Population (2020) | |
|---|---|
| • Total | 3,864,300 |
| • Rank | 9th |
| • Density | 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
The province consists of the following five territories:
- Kabeya-Kamwanga
- Katanda
- Lupatapata
- Miabi
- Tshilenge