{"id":5,"date":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/eastern\/kitui\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:53:07","slug":"kitui","status":"publish","type":"eastern","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/eastern\/kitui\/","title":{"rendered":"Kitui"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kitui County is county 015 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Eastern Province. Its capital and largest town is Kitui, and Mwingi is the second urban centre. The county recorded 1,136,187 residents at the 2019 census across 30,430 km\u00b2, which makes it the sixth largest county by area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Key facts<\/caption>\n
Fact<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Capital<\/th>\nKitui town<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County code<\/th>\n015<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2019 census)<\/th>\n1,136,187<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2023 projection)<\/th>\n1,229,790<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/th>\n30,430 km\u00b2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Former province<\/th>\nEastern<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sub-counties<\/th>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County assembly wards<\/th>\n40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main languages<\/th>\nKikamba, Kiswahili, English<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

Only two centres in Kitui pass 10,000 people. The rest of the county is a spread of market villages, shopping centres and sub-locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Largest urban centres, 2019 census<\/caption>\n
Town<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nPopulation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Kitui<\/td>\nTown, county capital<\/td>\n29,062<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mwingi<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n17,025<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kavati<\/td>\nVillage<\/td>\n2,420<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The gazetteer records 326 named settlements in Kitui County. The A–Z list below carries 250 of them, sampled across the full alphabet.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bondeni<\/li>\n
  2. Bondoni<\/li>\n
  3. Chematu<\/li>\n
  4. Endau<\/li>\n
  5. Enduku<\/li>\n
  6. Enyali<\/li>\n
  7. Enziu<\/li>\n
  8. Gai<\/li>\n
  9. Gathune<\/li>\n
  10. Gin<\/li>\n
  11. Ikandani<\/li>\n
  12. Ikanga<\/li>\n
  13. Ikathema<\/li>\n
  14. Ikutha<\/li>\n
  15. Ikuuni<\/li>\n
  16. Ikuyuni<\/li>\n
  17. Ilenye<\/li>\n
  18. Ilusa<\/li>\n
  19. Imale<\/li>\n
  20. Imbolia<\/li>\n
  21. Isaani<\/li>\n
  22. Itendeu<\/li>\n
  23. Ithiyani<\/li>\n
  24. Ithookwe<\/li>\n
  25. Ithumba<\/li>\n
  26. Ithumbi<\/li>\n
  27. Itoleka<\/li>\n
  28. Itoloni<\/li>\n
  29. Ituku<\/li>\n
  30. Ivuusya<\/li>\n
  31. Kaai<\/li>\n
  32. Kailembwa<\/li>\n
  33. Kaimu<\/li>\n
  34. Kakae<\/li>\n
  35. Kakeani<\/li>\n
  36. Kakindu<\/li>\n
  37. Kakunike<\/li>\n
  38. Kakunio<\/li>\n
  39. Kakuranza<\/li>\n
  40. Kalanga<\/li>\n
  41. Kalawa<\/li>\n
  42. Kaliku<\/li>\n
  43. Kalimbui<\/li>\n
  44. Kalivini<\/li>\n
  45. Kalivu<\/li>\n
  46. Kaluluini<\/li>\n
  47. Kalungu<\/li>\n
  48. Kamayagi<\/li>\n
  49. Kamuloani<\/li>\n
  50. Kamunaka<\/li>\n
  51. Kamunyoni<\/li>\n
  52. Kamusiliu<\/li>\n
  53. Kamutiu<\/li>\n
  54. Kamutungu<\/li>\n
  55. Kamuwongo<\/li>\n
  56. Kanduti<\/li>\n
  57. Kangalu<\/li>\n
  58. Kango<\/li>\n
  59. Kangonde<\/li>\n
  60. Kangungi<\/li>\n
  61. Kangutheni<\/li>\n
  62. Kaningo<\/li>\n
  63. Kanyonga<\/li>\n
  64. Kanzau<\/li>\n
  65. Kanziku<\/li>\n
  66. Karunga<\/li>\n
  67. Kasala<\/li>\n
  68. Kasangu<\/li>\n
  69. Kasiokoni<\/li>\n
  70. Kasyelia<\/li>\n
  71. Katama<\/li>\n
  72. Katene<\/li>\n
  73. Kathiani<\/li>\n
  74. Kathivo<\/li>\n
  75. Kathungi<\/li>\n
  76. Katothya<\/li>\n
  77. Katse<\/li>\n
  78. Katulani<\/li>\n
  79. Katutu<\/li>\n
  80. Katwala<\/li>\n
  81. Katyethoka<\/li>\n
  82. Kaui<\/li>\n
  83. Kavaa<\/li>\n
  84. Kavaini<\/li>\n
  85. Kavalula<\/li>\n
  86. Kavati<\/li>\n
  87. Kavingasi<\/li>\n
  88. Kavingo<\/li>\n
  89. Kavisuni<\/li>\n
  90. Kavyongo<\/li>\n
  91. Kawala<\/li>\n
  92. Kawelu<\/li>\n
  93. Kenze<\/li>\n
  94. Kertunda<\/li>\n
  95. Kikuu<\/li>\n
  96. Kilanga<\/li>\n
  97. Kilonzo<\/li>\n
  98. Kimangau<\/li>\n
  99. Kimuu<\/li>\n
  100. Kinakoni<\/li>\n
  101. Kiongwe<\/li>\n
  102. Kisaayani<\/li>\n
  103. Kiseveni<\/li>\n
  104. Kisou<\/li>\n
  105. Kisyuni<\/li>\n
  106. Kitamwiki<\/li>\n
  107. Kitangasua<\/li>\n
  108. Kithethea<\/li>\n
  109. Kithumuiani<\/li>\n
  110. Kitivo<\/li>\n
  111. Kitoo<\/li>\n
  112. Kitui<\/li>\n
  113. Kitundumo<\/li>\n
  114. Kitwambembe<\/li>\n
  115. Kiviu<\/li>\n
  116. Kivou<\/li>\n
  117. Kivyuni<\/li>\n
  118. Kwa Kimweli<\/li>\n
  119. Kwa Mboloi<\/li>\n
  120. Kwasiku<\/li>\n
  121. Kweluu<\/li>\n
  122. Kyaango<\/li>\n
  123. Kyamatu<\/li>\n
  124. Kyangunga<\/li>\n
  125. Kyasioni<\/li>\n
  126. Kyathani<\/li>\n
  127. Kyoani<\/li>\n
  128. Kyome<\/li>\n
  129. Kyondoni<\/li>\n
  130. Kyulungwa<\/li>\n
  131. Kyuluni<\/li>\n
  132. Kyuso<\/li>\n
  133. Lundi<\/li>\n
  134. Mai<\/li>\n
  135. Makele<\/li>\n
  136. Makengekani<\/li>\n
  137. Makolongo<\/li>\n
  138. Makongo<\/li>\n
  139. Makueni<\/li>\n
  140. Mamole<\/li>\n
  141. Mandongoi<\/li>\n
  142. Manzeni<\/li>\n
  143. Maseki<\/li>\n
  144. Masyungwa<\/li>\n
  145. Mataka<\/li>\n
  146. Matinyani<\/li>\n
  147. Mauu<\/li>\n
  148. Mavia<\/li>\n
  149. Mbarani<\/li>\n
  150. Mbevoni<\/li>\n
  151. Mbitini<\/li>\n
  152. Mbuvu<\/li>\n
  153. Mekulileini<\/li>\n
  154. Miambani<\/li>\n
  155. Migwani<\/li>\n
  156. Mithini<\/li>\n
  157. Miu<\/li>\n
  158. Miumbo<\/li>\n
  159. Mkapuwanzee<\/li>\n
  160. Mombasa<\/li>\n
  161. Muangeni<\/li>\n
  162. Muatini<\/li>\n
  163. Mukanga<\/li>\n
  164. Mukuyuni<\/li>\n
  165. Mulaa<\/li>\n
  166. Mulutu<\/li>\n
  167. Mumboni<\/li>\n
  168. Musa<\/li>\n
  169. Musengo<\/li>\n
  170. Museve<\/li>\n
  171. Musikio<\/li>\n
  172. Musuani<\/li>\n
  173. Musukini<\/li>\n
  174. Mutanda<\/li>\n
  175. Mutha<\/li>\n
  176. Muthembwa<\/li>\n
  177. Muthue<\/li>\n
  178. Muthungue<\/li>\n
  179. Mutitu<\/li>\n
  180. Mutomo<\/li>\n
  181. Mutonguni<\/li>\n
  182. Mutukya<\/li>\n
  183. Mutulia<\/li>\n
  184. Mutulu<\/li>\n
  185. Muvinge<\/li>\n
  186. Muvuko<\/li>\n
  187. Mwangala<\/li>\n
  188. Mwangini<\/li>\n
  189. Mwewe<\/li>\n
  190. Mwingi<\/li>\n
  191. Mwitika<\/li>\n
  192. Myoni<\/li>\n
  193. Ndakani<\/li>\n
  194. Ndaluni<\/li>\n
  195. Ndani<\/li>\n
  196. Ndodni<\/li>\n
  197. Nduani<\/li>\n
  198. Ndungali<\/li>\n
  199. Ngangani<\/li>\n
  200. Ngauwuni<\/li>\n
  201. Ngelani<\/li>\n
  202. Ngiini<\/li>\n
  203. Ngomeni<\/li>\n
  204. Nguku<\/li>\n
  205. Ngungi<\/li>\n
  206. Nguuni<\/li>\n
  207. Ngwate<\/li>\n
  208. Nthangani<\/li>\n
  209. Nthwani<\/li>\n
  210. Nuu<\/li>\n
  211. Nyaani<\/li>\n
  212. Nzamba<\/li>\n
  213. Nzanzeni<\/li>\n
  214. Nzawa<\/li>\n
  215. Nzeewani<\/li>\n
  216. Nzewani<\/li>\n
  217. Nzinia<\/li>\n
  218. Ovemba<\/li>\n
  219. Sekele<\/li>\n
  220. Simisi<\/li>\n
  221. Skwata<\/li>\n
  222. Sukyangwa<\/li>\n
  223. Syailungu<\/li>\n
  224. Syolima<\/li>\n
  225. Syomuunyu<\/li>\n
  226. Syongila<\/li>\n
  227. Syoviliwa<\/li>\n
  228. Syumbungu<\/li>\n
  229. Tembukuni<\/li>\n
  230. Thangata<\/li>\n
  231. Thitani<\/li>\n
  232. Thokoa<\/li>\n
  233. Thunguthu<\/li>\n
  234. Tiva<\/li>\n
  235. Tulia<\/li>\n
  236. Tundu<\/li>\n
  237. Twimawe<\/li>\n
  238. Usueni<\/li>\n
  239. Voo<\/li>\n
  240. Waita<\/li>\n
  241. Wakiminda<\/li>\n
  242. Wanzua<\/li>\n
  243. Wesungi<\/li>\n
  244. Wikililye<\/li>\n
  245. Winzee<\/li>\n
  246. Yamwanze<\/li>\n
  247. Yatta<\/li>\n
  248. Yoonye<\/li>\n
  249. Yuku<\/li>\n
  250. Yula Mbu<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Geography<\/h2>\n

    Kitui lies between latitudes 0\u00b010\u2032 and 3\u00b000\u2032 south and longitudes 37\u00b050\u2032 and 39\u00b000\u2032 east. Most of the county is dry plain between 400 m and 1,800 m above sea level. The Yatta Plateau runs down the western edge, and the Mumoni, Endau and Mutitu hills break the lowlands.<\/p>\n

    The Tana River forms the eastern boundary and the Athi River the south-western one. Both are permanent; nearly every other watercourse is seasonal, so sand dams and shallow wells carry households through the dry months. Rainfall is bimodal, roughly 500–1,050 mm a year, and temperatures range from 14 \u00b0C to 34 \u00b0C.<\/p>\n

    Seven counties border Kitui: Tharaka-Nithi County<\/a> and Meru County<\/a> to the north, Embu County<\/a> to the north-west, Machakos County<\/a> and Makueni County<\/a> to the west, Tana River County<\/a> to the east and south-east, and Taita-Taveta County<\/a> to the south.<\/p>\n

    Demographics<\/h2>\n

    The 2019 census counted 1,136,187 people: 549,003 men, 587,151 women and 33 intersex persons. Population density is about 37 people per km\u00b2, among the lowest in the former Eastern Province. Households numbered 262,942, averaging 4.3 people each.<\/p>\n

    Only 54,019 residents were classed as urban, so 95 per cent of the county is rural. The Kamba are the main community and Kikamba the everyday language. Tharaka speakers live in the north-east, near the Meru border, and a Somali trading population is established in Mwingi and Kitui town.<\/p>\n

    Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

    Farming here is drought-tolerant by necessity. Households grow green grams, cowpeas, pigeon peas, sorghum, millet and maize, and keep goats, cattle and poultry. Green grams from Mwingi and Kitui move to Nairobi wholesalers in bulk.<\/p>\n

    Beekeeping, charcoal, sand harvesting and basket weaving carry the rest of the rural economy. Kitui kiondo baskets, woven from sisal, are sold nationally. The county runs the Kitui County Textile Centre in Kitui town, which employs several hundred machinists. Coal seams in the Mui Basin, around Zombe and Mutitu, have been surveyed but not mined at scale. Market days rotate through the shopping centres, with the largest crowds at Kitui, Mwingi, Mutomo, Kabati and Kyuso.<\/p>\n

    History<\/h2>\n

    The name Kitui is Kikamba for a place where iron goods are made, after the smiths who worked here before colonial rule. In the nineteenth century Kamba long-distance traders ran caravans between the coast and the interior, carrying ivory, and Kitui was one of their inland bases.<\/p>\n

    The British administered the area as Kitui District from the early colonial period. Mwingi District was carved out of its northern half in 1993, and the two were reunited when Kitui County was created under the 2010 constitution. The first county government took office in March 2013.<\/p>\n

    Getting There<\/h2>\n

    Kitui town sits about 180 km east of Nairobi. The usual route runs Nairobi–Machakos–Kitui on tarmac, and the drive takes three to four hours. Mwingi stands on the A3 Thika–Garissa highway, which is the fastest approach from Nairobi to the north of the county.<\/p>\n

    Public service vehicles leave Nairobi’s Machakos Country Bus station through the day for Kitui, Mwingi, Mutomo and Kyuso. Kitui has an airstrip used by charter and government flights; there are no scheduled passenger services. The nearest railway is the standard gauge line at Athi River, about 150 km away.<\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

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

    Kitui town is the county capital and its largest urban centre, with 29,062 residents at the 2019 census.<\/p>\n

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

    Gazetteer records name 326 settlements. This page lists 250 of them, from small shopping centres to the two towns.<\/p>\n

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

    Eight: Kitui Central, Kitui East, Kitui Rural, Kitui South, Kitui West, Mwingi Central, Mwingi North and Mwingi West. They hold 40 county assembly wards.<\/p>\n

    How far is Kitui from Nairobi?<\/h3>\n

    About 180 km by road through Machakos, a drive of three to four hours in normal traffic.<\/p>\n

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

    1,136,187 at the 2019 census. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics projected 1,229,790 for mid-2023.<\/p>\n

    Who is the governor of Kitui County?<\/h3>\n

    The county governor is Julius Malombe, elected in the August 2022 general election.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Kitui County is county 015 of Kenya’s 47, in the former Eastern Province. Its capital and largest town is Kitui, and Mwingi is the second urban centre. The county recorded 1,136,187 residents at the 2019 census across 30,430 km\u00b2, which makes it the sixth largest county by area. Key facts Fact Value Capital Kitui town […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"Kitui County: Towns, Villages, Population & Map","_seopress_titles_desc":"Kitui County (015) in eastern Kenya: capital Kitui, 1,136,187 people at the 2019 census, 30,430 kmu00b2, 8 sub-counties and 250 towns and villages listed.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"class_list":["post-5","eastern","type-eastern","status-publish","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eastern\/5","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/eastern"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/eastern"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}