Kakamega County is county 037 of Kenya’s 47 and the largest of the four counties in the former Western Province. Kakamega town is the capital, and the 2019 census counted 1,867,579 residents across 3,033.8 km² — the fourth most populous county in Kenya.
The county holds Kakamega Forest, the only surviving Kenyan remnant of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest belt. Luhya dialects dominate: Isukha, Idakho, Kabras, Wanga, Marama, Kisa, Tsotso and Tachoni.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Kakamega |
| County code | 037 |
| Population | 1,867,579 (2019 census) |
| Area | 3,033.8 km² |
| Former province | Western |
| Sub-counties | 12 |
| Main languages | Luhya dialects, Swahili, English |
Towns and Villages in Kakamega County
Kakamega and Mumias were counted separately at the 2019 census. The rest below carry gazetteer estimates.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Kakamega | County capital | 107,227 |
| Mumias | Town | 41,942 |
| Butere | Sub-county HQ | 11,205 |
| Shianda | Market town | 7,502 |
| Malava | Sub-county HQ | 5,131 |
| Khayega | Trading centre | 3,892 |
Gazetteer records list 207 named settlements across the county’s twelve sub-counties. All 207 are listed below.
- Aisere
- Buchenya
- Buchifu
- Buchinga
- Bujango
- Bukaya
- Bukhaywa
- Bukoro
- Bukunjangabo
- Bukura
- Bukusi
- Bulanda
- Bulekhero
- Bulimbo
- Bumini
- Burendwa
- Bushili
- Butali
- Butere
- Butsotso
- Chebaiywa
- Chebuyusi
- Chebwai
- Chegulo
- Chemuneko
- Chimangeti
- Chimuche
- Chirouani
- Dudi
- Ebukwala
- Ekambuli
- Eluche
- Emachembe
- Emasatsi
- Emuchenje
- Emulundu
- Emwiru
- Eregi
- Eshibeye
- Eshihunya
- Eshikunmu
- Eshisango
- Eshisiru
- Eshitari
- Eshiunga
- Esumeyia
- Handidi
- Ibinzo
- Ichina
- Iguhu
- Ihonje
- Ikonyero
- Ileho
- Inaya
- Indangalasia
- Ingotse
- Isecheno
- Isongo
- Isulu
- Itenyi
- Itete
- Ivonda
- Iwakhupa
- Kakamega
- Kakoyi
- Kambiri
- Khalaba
- Kharanda
- Khayega
- Kholera
- Khwisero
- Kimingini
- Kipkarren River
- Kisieni
- Koli
- Koyonzo
- Kubasari
- Lidambiza
- Liguyani
- Lirhanda
- Luanda
- Luandeti
- Lubao
- Lubinu
- Lugari
- Lugusi
- Lukala
- Lukango
- Lukume
- Lukusi
- Lumani
- Lung'anyiro
- Lunza
- Lurambi
- Lusumu
- Lutaso
- Lwanda
- Madala
- Mahiakato
- Mahira
- Makhukhuni
- Makunda
- Makunga
- Malaha
- Malava
- Malindi
- Maraba
- Marenyo
- Masaba
- Matende
- Matete
- Matiha
- Matioli
- Matsakha
- Matundu
- Matungu
- Maturu
- Mbagara
- Mbaka
- Mudaa
- Mugomari
- Mukaba
- Mukhonje
- Mukulusi
- Mukumu
- Mulwanda
- Mumias
- Mundeku
- Mundoli
- Munganga
- Muregu
- Mureko
- Murhanda
- Muroni
- Musaga
- Musala
- Musamba
- Musanda
- Mushiangubu
- Musingu
- Musoli
- Mutsuma
- Mwanza
- Mwihila
- Mwira
- Mwitoti
- Namagara
- Namamba
- Nambacha
- Nambirima
- Namirama
- Nanganda
- Navakholo
- Ngavira
- Nguvuli
- Nyapora
- Nzoia
- Samitsi
- Shabwali
- Shamberere
- Shamon
- Shamusingiri
- Shanabonga
- Shanderema
- Shiagugu
- Shiamololi
- Shianda
- Shiatsala
- Shibuli
- Shibuyi
- Shidodo
- Shiduha
- Shigokho
- Shikomari
- Shikondi
- Shikoti
- Shikunga
- Shikusa
- Shikutse
- Shinaka
- Shinoyi
- Shinyalu
- Shinyikha
- Shiongo
- Shipala
- Shiraha
- Shirotsa
- Shirugu
- Shirutsa
- Shiseso
- Shitaho
- Shitoli
- Shitoto
- Shitsitswi
- Shivakala
- Shiveye
- Shumanyiro
- Sibinga
- Sidikho
- Sigalagala
- Simuli
- Sisokhe
- Sivilie
- Solyo
- Steward
- Tande
- Teressia
Geography
Kakamega lies on rising ground between the Lake Victoria basin and the Nandi Escarpment. Land climbs from about 1,240 m in the west to 2,000 m at Shinyalu. The Nzoia River crosses the north, the Yala forms the southern boundary, and the Isiukhu and Lusumu drain the centre.
Kakamega Forest covers roughly 238 km² around Isecheno, Buyangu and Kisere, and holds bird and primate species found nowhere else in Kenya. The Crying Stone of Ilesi, a balanced rock above the Kisumu road, is the county’s best-known landmark. Rainfall runs 1,200–2,000 mm a year.
Kakamega borders Trans Nzoia County and Bungoma County to the north, Uasin Gishu County and Nandi County to the east. It also borders Vihiga County to the south-east, Siaya County to the south-west and Busia County to the west.
Demographics
The 2019 census recorded 1,867,579 people in 433,207 households, 897,133 men and 970,406 women. Density averages 616 people per square kilometre, rising sharply in Lurambi, Mumias West and Ikolomani.
Kakamega is the heartland of the Luhya, Kenya’s second-largest ethnic grouping. Sub-nations map closely onto sub-counties: Isukha at Shinyalu, Idakho at Ikolomani, Kabras at Malava, Wanga at Mumias, Marama at Butere and Kisa at Khwisero.
Average household size is 4.3. Migration to Nairobi, Nakuru and the Rift Valley farms is long established, and remittances are a standing part of rural household income.
Economy and Local Life
Sugarcane is the signature crop. Mumias Sugar, West Kenya Sugar at Kabras and Butali Sugar all mill here, and cane fields cover much of the west and north. Maize, beans, sweet potato and local vegetables feed households, while tea grows on the higher ground at Shinyalu and Ikolomani.
Artisanal gold mining continues at Ikolomani and at Rosterman near Kakamega town, on reefs worked commercially in the 1930s. Kakamega Forest supports guided tourism at Isecheno and Buyangu. Weekly markets at Shianda, Malava, Lubao and Khayega are the main rural trading points.
Sugar has been volatile. Mumias Sugar, once Kenya’s largest miller, collapsed in 2019 and was later leased to a private operator. The Kabras and Butali mills took up much of the cane.
Getting There
The A1 highway runs Kisumu–Kakamega–Webuye–Kitale and passes through the county capital. Kisumu is about 50 km south, Webuye about 45 km north and Nairobi roughly 415 km by road via Nakuru and Kericho.
Kakamega has an airstrip on the edge of town. Scheduled flights use Kisumu International, about 50 km away, or Eldoret International, about 90 km east.
Roads west from Kakamega serve Mumias, Butere and the Busia border. An eastern road climbs through Khayega and Shinyalu to Kapsabet in the Nandi Hills.
FAQ
What is the capital of Kakamega County?
Kakamega town, with a 2019 census urban population of 107,227.
How many towns and villages are in Kakamega County?
Gazetteer records name 207 settlements, all listed on this page.
Which sub-counties make up Kakamega?
Twelve: Lugari, Likuyani, Malava, Lurambi, Navakholo, Mumias West, Mumias East, Matungu, Butere, Khwisero, Shinyalu and Ikolomani.
What is the population of Kakamega County?
1,867,579 at the 2019 census, on 3,033.8 km².
Where is Kakamega Forest?
It lies east of Kakamega town in Shinyalu and Navakholo sub-counties. Main entry points are Isecheno in the south and Buyangu in the north.
Is there gold in Kakamega?
Yes. Artisanal miners work reefs at Ikolomani and Rosterman, both mined commercially during the 1930s Kakamega gold rush.