Narok County is county number 33 of Kenya’s 47, in the southern Rift Valley and the former Rift Valley Province, with its headquarters at Narok town. The 2019 census recorded 1,157,873 residents on 17,921.2 km², the fourth largest county area in Kenya. Narok is Maasai country, and it holds the Maasai Mara National Reserve as well as the western half of the Mau Forest Complex.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Narok town |
| County code | 33 |
| Population (2019 census) | 1,157,873 |
| Area | 17,921.2 km² |
| Former province | Rift Valley |
| Sub-counties | 6 |
| Main languages | Maa (Maasai), Kipsigis, Swahili, English |
The six sub-counties match the constituencies: Narok North, Narok South, Narok East, Narok West, Emurua Dikirr and Kilgoris. The county governor is Patrick Ole Ntutu, elected in August 2022.
Towns and Villages in Narok County
Settlement is sparse and spread out. Narok town and Kilgoris are the only centres above 10,000 people; most named places are cattle markets, group-ranch centres and Mara gate settlements.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Narok | County capital | 65,430 |
| Kilgoris | Town | 10,845 |
| Lolgorien | Town | 6,053 |
| Olulung’a | Town | 5,609 |
| Nairagi Enkare | Town | 4,954 |
| Ntulelei | Town | 3,390 |
The full list below names 72 towns, trading centres and villages recorded in Narok County, A–Z.
- Aitong
- Angama Mara
- Angata Naado
- Bado Kitabu
- Enengipire
- Entontol
- Eor-Enkitok
- Eoret Narasha
- Eutut
- Ewaso Ng’iro
- Ildamat
- Iminuet
- Keekorok
- Kichwa Tembo
- Kikoris
- Kilgoris
- Kipleleo
- Kirusu
- Kisiriri
- Langata Sein
- Lemek
- Lolgorien
- Lolonito
- Maji Moto
- Masandare
- Melili
- Morijo
- Morijo Narok
- Mosiro
- Mulua Orkondi
- Murrua
- Naboisho
- Naibor Ajijik
- Nairagi Enkare
- Narok
- Narosura
- Nasampolai
- Natalu
- Ndengenishi
- Ngorengore
- Nguruman
- Njibiship
- Nkararu
- Nkojonga
- Noolpopong
- Ntuka
- Ntulelei
- Ol Kiombo
- Ol Pusimoru
- Olchoro
- Olentutu
- Olmesutye
- Olokirikura
- Olokurto
- Olombokishi
- Oloolaimutia
- Olorropil
- Olosodan Entasekera
- Olulung’a
- Ongata Baragoi
- Palmolile
- Poroko
- Purko
- Rotian
- Sakutiek
- Seyabei
- Shabaltaragwa
- Shartuka
- Sintagara
- Talek
- Talel
- Tokitok
Geography
Narok runs from the Mau Escarpment in the north down to the Loita Plains, the Nguruman Escarpment and the Mara plains on the Tanzanian border. Altitude falls from about 3,000 m in the Mau to 1,000 m in the south-west. The Mara River rises in the Mau and crosses the reserve into Tanzania, joined by the Talek and Sand rivers; the Ewaso Ng’iro South drains the Loita hills towards Lake Natron. Rainfall ranges from over 1,500 mm in the Mau highlands to under 600 mm on the southern plains, which is why the north grows wheat and the south carries cattle.
Narok borders six counties and one country: Nakuru County to the north-east, Bomet County to the north, Nyamira County and Kisii County to the north-west, Migori County to the west, Kajiado County to the east, and Tanzania to the south.
Demographics
With 1,157,873 people spread over 17,921.2 km², density averages about 65 people per km², among the lowest in the highlands. The Maasai are the largest community, and Maa is the everyday language across Narok East, South and West. Kipsigis families farm the Mau side and the Transmara around Kilgoris and Emurua Dikirr, and Kisii and Kuria households are numerous in the western wards. Kikuyu farmers settled the wheat lands around Olulung’a, Nairagi Enkare and Ngorengore from the 1970s.
Economy and Local Life
Three things pay in Narok: livestock, wheat and tourism. Maasai pastoralists keep large cattle, sheep and goat herds, traded at Suswa, Ewaso Ng’iro, Ilkerin and Kilgoris markets. The Mau highlands carry some of Kenya’s biggest wheat and barley farms, along with maize and potatoes. The Maasai Mara National Reserve is the county’s largest single earner: gate fees, lodges and camps at Talek, Sekenani, Oloolaimutia, Keekorok and Ol Kiombo employ thousands, and conservancies such as Naboisho and Olare Motorogi pay land rent to member families. Small-scale gold mining runs around Lolgorien in the Transmara, and Maasai Mara University has its main campus at Narok town.
Getting There
Narok town is about 142 km west of Nairobi on the B3 through Mai Mahiu, a two-hour drive on tarmac; the same road continues west to Bomet and Kisii. From Narok, tarmac runs south-west towards Sekenani gate and the Mara, and west through Kilgoris to Migori. The county has several airstrips serving the reserve, including Keekorok, Ol Kiombo, Musiara and Kichwa Tembo, with daily scheduled flights from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. Matatus and buses connect Narok with Nairobi, Nakuru, Bomet and Kisii daily.
FAQ
What is the capital of Narok County?
Narok town, which had 65,430 residents at the 2019 census.
How many towns and villages are in Narok County?
This page lists 72 named towns, trading centres and villages. The county is large but thinly settled.
Which sub-counties make up Narok County?
Narok North, Narok South, Narok East, Narok West, Emurua Dikirr and Kilgoris.
Is the Maasai Mara in Narok County?
Yes. The Maasai Mara National Reserve lies in the south-west of the county and is managed by the Narok County Government.
How far is Narok from Nairobi?
About 142 km on the B3 road via Mai Mahiu, roughly two hours by car.
Which counties border Narok?
Nakuru, Bomet, Nyamira, Kisii, Migori and Kajiado, plus an international border with Tanzania.