{"id":28,"date":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/coast\/kwale\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","slug":"kwale","status":"publish","type":"coast","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/coast\/kwale\/","title":{"rendered":"Kwale"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kwale County is county 002 of Kenya’s 47, the south coast county between Mombasa and the Tanzanian border. It covers 8,270.3 km², was part of the former Coast Province, and had 866,820 residents at the 2019 census. Kwale town, in the hills above Diani, is the county capital; Ukunda and Matuga hold the largest populations. The county governor is Fatuma Achani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fact<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Capital<\/th>\nKwale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County code<\/th>\n002<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2019 census)<\/th>\n866,820<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/th>\n8,270.3 km²<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Former province<\/th>\nCoast<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sub-counties<\/th>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main languages<\/th>\nKidigo, Kiduruma, Swahili, English<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Towns and Villages in Kwale County<\/h2>\n

Kwale County has four sub-counties, each also a constituency: Msambweni, Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Kinango. The beach strip from Tiwi and Diani south to Msambweni, Gazi, Shimoni and Vanga holds the tourism towns and most of the coastal population. Kinango, inland and dry, is ranching and subsistence-farming country with scattered villages. Mazeras, Taru and Mackinnon Road sit on the Nairobi highway in the county’s north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Town<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nPopulation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Matuga<\/td>\nSub-county town<\/td>\n194,252<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ukunda<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n77,686<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mazeras<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n16,254<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Msambweni<\/td>\nSub-county town<\/td>\n14,951<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sawa Sawa<\/td>\nTrading centre<\/td>\n12,975<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kwale<\/td>\nTown, county capital<\/td>\n10,063<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kinango<\/td>\nSub-county town<\/td>\n8,070<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gazi<\/td>\nFishing town<\/td>\n5,222<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Samburu<\/td>\nTrading centre<\/td>\n4,454<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mackinnon Road<\/td>\nTrading centre<\/td>\n3,901<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lunga-Lunga<\/td>\nBorder town<\/td>\n2,536<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shimoni<\/td>\nFishing town<\/td>\n2,374<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The full list below records 252 named towns, villages and localities across the county.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Achivwa<\/li>\n
  2. Ada<\/li>\n
  3. Bahakanda<\/li>\n
  4. Banga<\/li>\n
  5. Bazo<\/li>\n
  6. Bofu<\/li>\n
  7. Bomani<\/li>\n
  8. Bongwe Village<\/li>\n
  9. Boyami<\/li>\n
  10. Buramana<\/li>\n
  11. Burani<\/li>\n
  12. Busa<\/li>\n
  13. Busho<\/li>\n
  14. Bwaga Macho<\/li>\n
  15. Chingwede<\/li>\n
  16. Chuini<\/li>\n
  17. Copra<\/li>\n
  18. Dambale<\/li>\n
  19. Denge<\/li>\n
  20. Diani<\/li>\n
  21. Diani Beach<\/li>\n
  22. Digo<\/li>\n
  23. Dololo<\/li>\n
  24. Donje<\/li>\n
  25. Dumbuie<\/li>\n
  26. Dundani<\/li>\n
  27. Durum Kay<\/li>\n
  28. Duruma<\/li>\n
  29. Dzirive<\/li>\n
  30. Eshu<\/li>\n
  31. Famuni<\/li>\n
  32. Funzi<\/li>\n
  33. Gandini<\/li>\n
  34. Gazi<\/li>\n
  35. Gobo<\/li>\n
  36. Godo<\/li>\n
  37. Godoma<\/li>\n
  38. Golini<\/li>\n
  39. Gongoni<\/li>\n
  40. Gonja<\/li>\n
  41. Gulanze<\/li>\n
  42. Henzamwenye<\/li>\n
  43. Jambe<\/li>\n
  44. Jego<\/li>\n
  45. Jimbo<\/li>\n
  46. Jiweni<\/li>\n
  47. Jorore<\/li>\n
  48. Kaawani<\/li>\n
  49. Kachini<\/li>\n
  50. Kambini<\/li>\n
  51. Kapok<\/li>\n
  52. Kasagini<\/li>\n
  53. Katundani<\/li>\n
  54. Kaufumbani<\/li>\n
  55. Kibandaongo<\/li>\n
  56. Kibauni<\/li>\n
  57. Kibaya<\/li>\n
  58. Kibuguni<\/li>\n
  59. Kichakasimba<\/li>\n
  60. Kideri<\/li>\n
  61. Kidimu<\/li>\n
  62. Kidomaya<\/li>\n
  63. Kidzumbani<\/li>\n
  64. Kidzumu<\/li>\n
  65. Kifyonzo<\/li>\n
  66. Kigato<\/li>\n
  67. Kigomberu<\/li>\n
  68. Kikoneni<\/li>\n
  69. Kikwezani<\/li>\n
  70. Kilibasi<\/li>\n
  71. Kilimangodo<\/li>\n
  72. Kilole<\/li>\n
  73. Kinango<\/li>\n
  74. Kinangoni<\/li>\n
  75. Kinondo<\/li>\n
  76. Kipandeni<\/li>\n
  77. Kirewe<\/li>\n
  78. Kisima Chande<\/li>\n
  79. Kisimani<\/li>\n
  80. Kisiwani<\/li>\n
  81. Kitsantse<\/li>\n
  82. Kituu<\/li>\n
  83. Kiviogo<\/li>\n
  84. Kivuleni<\/li>\n
  85. Kivumuro<\/li>\n
  86. Kiwegu<\/li>\n
  87. Kizibe<\/li>\n
  88. Kuleni<\/li>\n
  89. Kusitawi<\/li>\n
  90. Kuzini<\/li>\n
  91. Kwa Mkamba<\/li>\n
  92. Kwale<\/li>\n
  93. Landhi<\/li>\n
  94. Livundoni<\/li>\n
  95. Lukore<\/li>\n
  96. Lunga-Lunga<\/li>\n
  97. Mabafweni<\/li>\n
  98. Mabatani<\/li>\n
  99. Mabokoni<\/li>\n
  100. Mackinnon Road<\/li>\n
  101. Maduduni<\/li>\n
  102. Maelinane<\/li>\n
  103. Mafisini<\/li>\n
  104. Magagani<\/li>\n
  105. Magodi<\/li>\n
  106. Magongo<\/li>\n
  107. Maguguni<\/li>\n
  108. Magutu<\/li>\n
  109. Mahuruni<\/li>\n
  110. Majengo<\/li>\n
  111. Maji ya Chumvi<\/li>\n
  112. Majimboni<\/li>\n
  113. Majoreni<\/li>\n
  114. Makaani<\/li>\n
  115. Makamini<\/li>\n
  116. Makitabu<\/li>\n
  117. Makobe<\/li>\n
  118. Makondeni<\/li>\n
  119. Makwenyeni<\/li>\n
  120. Maledi<\/li>\n
  121. Mamba<\/li>\n
  122. Manda<\/li>\n
  123. Mangawani<\/li>\n
  124. Mapfanga<\/li>\n
  125. Marere<\/li>\n
  126. Marigiza<\/li>\n
  127. Maruvesa<\/li>\n
  128. Matuga<\/li>\n
  129. Matumbi<\/li>\n
  130. Maweu<\/li>\n
  131. Mazeras<\/li>\n
  132. Mazola<\/li>\n
  133. Mbegani<\/li>\n
  134. Mbilini<\/li>\n
  135. Mbuguni<\/li>\n
  136. Mbuji<\/li>\n
  137. Mbuyuni<\/li>\n
  138. Mbwaleni<\/li>\n
  139. Mgombezi<\/li>\n
  140. Mguya<\/li>\n
  141. Miatsani<\/li>\n
  142. Miguneni<\/li>\n
  143. Mikuani<\/li>\n
  144. Milafyeni<\/li>\n
  145. Milalani<\/li>\n
  146. Mirihini<\/li>\n
  147. Misaroni<\/li>\n
  148. Mkambini<\/li>\n
  149. Mkangombe<\/li>\n
  150. Mkingani<\/li>\n
  151. Mkomba<\/li>\n
  152. Mkongani<\/li>\n
  153. Mkuro<\/li>\n
  154. Mkwiro<\/li>\n
  155. Mnanasini<\/li>\n
  156. Mnyenzeni<\/li>\n
  157. Mrima<\/li>\n
  158. Msambweni<\/li>\n
  159. Msurwa<\/li>\n
  160. Mtaa<\/li>\n
  161. Mtakuja<\/li>\n
  162. Mtata<\/li>\n
  163. Mteza<\/li>\n
  164. Mtsangatamu<\/li>\n
  165. Mtsangatifu<\/li>\n
  166. Mtumwa<\/li>\n
  167. Mudomo<\/li>\n
  168. Mugamani<\/li>\n
  169. Mugome<\/li>\n
  170. Muhaka<\/li>\n
  171. Muhaka Mbavu<\/li>\n
  172. Muliloni<\/li>\n
  173. Mulola<\/li>\n
  174. Mulunguni<\/li>\n
  175. Munge<\/li>\n
  176. Mvuleni<\/li>\n
  177. Mwabila<\/li>\n
  178. Mwabungu<\/li>\n
  179. Mwachande<\/li>\n
  180. Mwaembe<\/li>\n
  181. Mwaguda<\/li>\n
  182. Mwakalanga<\/li>\n
  183. Mwakepeku<\/li>\n
  184. Mwalewa<\/li>\n
  185. Mwalikombe<\/li>\n
  186. Mwaluvanga<\/li>\n
  187. Mwamkuchi<\/li>\n
  188. Mwananyamala<\/li>\n
  189. Mwandeo<\/li>\n
  190. Mwandimu<\/li>\n
  191. Mwandoni<\/li>\n
  192. Mwangoni<\/li>\n
  193. Mwangulu<\/li>\n
  194. Mwanyora<\/li>\n
  195. Mwapala<\/li>\n
  196. Mwarongo<\/li>\n
  197. Mwayumbo<\/li>\n
  198. Mwazare<\/li>\n
  199. Mwembeni<\/li>\n
  200. Mwena<\/li>\n
  201. Mwereni<\/li>\n
  202. Ndavaya<\/li>\n
  203. Ndugu Mbeni<\/li>\n
  204. Nganja<\/li>\n
  205. Ngombani<\/li>\n
  206. Ngombeni<\/li>\n
  207. Ngozini<\/li>\n
  208. Nguluku<\/li>\n
  209. Nguruweni<\/li>\n
  210. Ngwaru<\/li>\n
  211. Njele<\/li>\n
  212. Nunguni<\/li>\n
  213. Nyalani<\/li>\n
  214. Nyika<\/li>\n
  215. Nzovuni<\/li>\n
  216. Pande<\/li>\n
  217. Pangani<\/li>\n
  218. Pangu<\/li>\n
  219. Pemba<\/li>\n
  220. Pengo<\/li>\n
  221. Perani<\/li>\n
  222. Pongwe<\/li>\n
  223. Puma<\/li>\n
  224. Ramisi<\/li>\n
  225. Ryakalui<\/li>\n
  226. Sadani<\/li>\n
  227. Samburu<\/li>\n
  228. Sawa Sawa<\/li>\n
  229. Shambini<\/li>\n
  230. Shimba Hills<\/li>\n
  231. Shimoni<\/li>\n
  232. Shirazi<\/li>\n
  233. Silaloni<\/li>\n
  234. Taru<\/li>\n
  235. Tiribe<\/li>\n
  236. Tiwi<\/li>\n
  237. Tserezani<\/li>\n
  238. Ukunda<\/li>\n
  239. Vanga<\/li>\n
  240. Viangwani<\/li>\n
  241. Vidungeni<\/li>\n
  242. Vigurungani<\/li>\n
  243. Vikinduni<\/li>\n
  244. Vingujini<\/li>\n
  245. Vinuni<\/li>\n
  246. Vitsangalaweni<\/li>\n
  247. Vivini<\/li>\n
  248. Vuga<\/li>\n
  249. Vumoni<\/li>\n
  250. Waa<\/li>\n
  251. Wasini<\/li>\n
  252. Yava<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Geography<\/h2>\n

    Kwale rises from a narrow coral coastal strip through the Shimba Hills to the dry Nyika plateau inland. The Shimba Hills reach about 450 m and carry coastal rainforest protected as the Shimba Hills National Reserve and the adjoining Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. Offshore lie Wasini and Funzi islands and the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, one of Kenya’s best-known coral and dolphin sites.<\/p>\n

    The Ramisi and Umba rivers drain the south of the county, the Umba forming part of the Tanzanian boundary before it reaches the sea at Vanga. Mangrove forest lines the creeks at Gazi, Funzi and Vanga, and the Gazi Bay mangroves host Mikoko Pamoja, the first community carbon-credit mangrove project in the world. Rainfall runs from about 1,200 mm on the Shimba Hills to under 600 mm at Kinango and Samburu.<\/p>\n

    Kwale borders Mombasa County<\/a> to the north-east, Kilifi County<\/a> to the north and Taita-Taveta County<\/a> to the north-west. Tanzania lies across the southern border at Lunga Lunga and Horohoro, and the Indian Ocean forms the eastern boundary.<\/p>\n

    Demographics<\/h2>\n

    The 2019 census counted 866,820 people — 425,121 men and 441,681 women — in 173,176 households. Spread over 8,270.3 km², that is about 105 people per km², with the coastal wards of Matuga and Msambweni far denser than inland Kinango.<\/p>\n

    The Digo are the largest community on the coastal strip and the Duruma inland, both Mijikenda peoples; Kamba, Taita, Luo and Kikuyu residents work in tourism and trade. Kidigo and Kiduruma are the main mother tongues, Swahili is the everyday language and English is used in schools and government. Islam is the majority faith along the shore. Kaya forests, the fortified Mijikenda village sites listed by UNESCO in 2008, survive at Kinondo, Muhaka and Kwale.<\/p>\n

    Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

    Tourism is the largest formal employer. Diani Beach, Tiwi, Galu and Msambweni carry most of the county’s hotels, and boat operators run daily trips from Shimoni to Kisite-Mpunguti and Wasini Island. The Shimoni slave caves and the Shimba Hills sable antelope herd, the only one in Kenya, draw day visitors from the beach hotels.<\/p>\n

    Farming is the main livelihood elsewhere. The coastal belt grows coconut, cashew, mango, citrus and simsim; Ramisi has a long history of sugar cane; and Kinango and Samburu depend on maize, cassava, cowpeas, green grams and livestock. Fishing supports villages from Vanga and Shimoni to Gazi and Funzi, and mangrove cutting for boriti poles remains a regulated trade. Titanium-bearing mineral sands were mined at Nguluku in Msambweni from 2013, making the county Kenya’s main producer of ilmenite, rutile and zircon. Market days at Kwale, Kinango, Ukunda and Lunga Lunga bring in traders from across the sub-counties.<\/p>\n

    Getting There<\/h2>\n

    From Mombasa, the Likoni Ferry crosses to the south coast and the A14 continues through Ukunda, Msambweni and Ramisi to the Tanzanian border post at Lunga Lunga, about 100 km from Mombasa. Kwale town lies roughly 30 km inland from Ukunda on the C106. The A109 Nairobi–Mombasa highway crosses the north of the county at Mazeras, Maji ya Chumvi, Taru and Mackinnon Road.<\/p>\n

    Ukunda Airstrip, also called Diani Airport, takes daily flights from Nairobi Wilson, Mombasa, Lamu and the Maasai Mara. The Standard Gauge Railway has a station at Mackinnon Road in Kinango sub-county. Moi International Airport in Mombasa is the nearest international gateway, about 90 minutes from Diani including the ferry crossing.<\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

    What is the capital of Kwale County?<\/h3>\n

    Kwale town is the county capital and headquarters, about 30 km inland from Diani. Ukunda is the county’s busiest commercial town.<\/p>\n

    How many towns and villages are in Kwale County?<\/h3>\n

    This page lists 252 named towns, villages and localities, from Ukunda and Msambweni to inland villages such as Ndavaya and Vigurungani.<\/p>\n

    Which sub-counties make up Kwale County?<\/h3>\n

    Four: Msambweni, Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Kinango. Each is also a parliamentary constituency.<\/p>\n

    What is the population of Kwale County?<\/h3>\n

    The 2019 census recorded 866,820 residents, about 105 people per km².<\/p>\n

    How do you get to Diani Beach from Mombasa?<\/h3>\n

    Cross on the Likoni Ferry and follow the A14 south for about 30 km to Ukunda, then turn to Diani. Ukunda Airstrip also takes daily flights from Nairobi.<\/p>\n

    What is mined in Kwale County?<\/h3>\n

    Titanium-bearing mineral sands at Nguluku in Msambweni, yielding ilmenite, rutile and zircon. Mining began there in 2013.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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