{"id":26,"date":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T01:18:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/rift-valley\/nakuru\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:53:08","slug":"nakuru","status":"publish","type":"rift-valley","link":"https:\/\/townsvillages.com\/kenya\/rift-valley\/nakuru\/","title":{"rendered":"Nakuru"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nakuru County is county number 32 of Kenya’s 47, in the central Rift Valley and the former Rift Valley Province, with its headquarters at Nakuru City. The 2019 census counted 2,162,202 residents on 7,509.5 km\u00b2, making it Kenya’s fourth most populous county. Nakuru town was granted city status in December 2021, the fourth city in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Fact<\/th>\nValue<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Capital<\/td>\nNakuru City<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
County code<\/td>\n32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Population (2019 census)<\/td>\n2,162,202<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Area<\/td>\n7,509.5 km\u00b2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Former province<\/td>\nRift Valley<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sub-counties<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main languages<\/td>\nKikuyu, Kalenjin, Maasai, Swahili, English<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The eleven sub-counties are Bahati, Gilgil, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Molo, Naivasha, Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Njoro, Rongai and Subukia. The county governor is Susan Kihika, elected in August 2022.<\/p>\n

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

Nakuru has more large towns than any other county in the Rift Valley. Naivasha alone is bigger than most county capitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Town<\/th>\nType<\/th>\nPopulation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Nakuru<\/td>\nCity, county capital<\/td>\n570,674<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Naivasha<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n198,444<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gilgil<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n60,711<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Molo<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n48,356<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Njoro<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n42,173<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rongai<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n30,471<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elburgon<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n28,359<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maai Mahiu<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n20,823<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mau Narok<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n11,806<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Subukia<\/td>\nTown<\/td>\n10,344<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The full list below names 150 towns, trading centres, farm settlements and villages recorded in Nakuru County, A\u2013Z.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Akira<\/li>\n
  2. Ambusket<\/li>\n
  3. Athinai<\/li>\n
  4. Bagaria Settlement<\/li>\n
  5. Bahati<\/li>\n
  6. Bahati Settlement<\/li>\n
  7. Banita<\/li>\n
  8. Baraget<\/li>\n
  9. Beestons<\/li>\n
  10. Berea<\/li>\n
  11. By-Gum<\/li>\n
  12. Chandera<\/li>\n
  13. Chebakundi<\/li>\n
  14. Chebtwech<\/li>\n
  15. Chepnyalilo<\/li>\n
  16. Cokereria<\/li>\n
  17. Daraja ya Mawe<\/li>\n
  18. Dawsonville<\/li>\n
  19. Dimbilil<\/li>\n
  20. Dryer<\/li>\n
  21. Dundori<\/li>\n
  22. East Mau<\/li>\n
  23. Eburru<\/li>\n
  24. Egerton<\/li>\n
  25. El Bonwala<\/li>\n
  26. Elburgon<\/li>\n
  27. Elmenteita<\/li>\n
  28. Enashae Ngai<\/li>\n
  29. Endarasha<\/li>\n
  30. Endima<\/li>\n
  31. Ereri<\/li>\n
  32. Excelsior<\/li>\n
  33. Gichage<\/li>\n
  34. Gichobo Settlement<\/li>\n
  35. Gilgil<\/li>\n
  36. Githima<\/li>\n
  37. Goroba<\/li>\n
  38. Greenhill<\/li>\n
  39. Greensted\u2019s<\/li>\n
  40. Hatfield<\/li>\n
  41. Kabatini<\/li>\n
  42. Kabazi<\/li>\n
  43. Kahuru Settlement<\/li>\n
  44. Kaka<\/li>\n
  45. Kama<\/li>\n
  46. Kambala<\/li>\n
  47. Kame<\/li>\n
  48. Kampi Ya Moto<\/li>\n
  49. Kamwaura<\/li>\n
  50. Kanaru<\/li>\n
  51. Kandutura<\/li>\n
  52. Kapsimbegwa<\/li>\n
  53. Karati<\/li>\n
  54. Karunga<\/li>\n
  55. Kedong<\/li>\n
  56. Keringet<\/li>\n
  57. Kerisa<\/li>\n
  58. Kewamoi<\/li>\n
  59. Kibongoi<\/li>\n
  60. Kijabe<\/li>\n
  61. Kinari<\/li>\n
  62. Kinja<\/li>\n
  63. Kinungi<\/li>\n
  64. Kio<\/li>\n
  65. Kiptoim<\/li>\n
  66. Kiptunga<\/li>\n
  67. Kiriri<\/li>\n
  68. Kiriri Settlement<\/li>\n
  69. Kitlery<\/li>\n
  70. Kongoni<\/li>\n
  71. Korikabemitik<\/li>\n
  72. Kuresoi<\/li>\n
  73. Landhies<\/li>\n
  74. Lanet<\/li>\n
  75. Larkhill<\/li>\n
  76. Lika<\/li>\n
  77. Loichorai<\/li>\n
  78. Loldia<\/li>\n
  79. Longonot<\/li>\n
  80. Long\u2019s Drift<\/li>\n
  81. Maai Mahiu<\/li>\n
  82. Machege<\/li>\n
  83. Maji Mingi<\/li>\n
  84. Malewa<\/li>\n
  85. Mara Ngishu<\/li>\n
  86. Marashoni<\/li>\n
  87. Mariathani<\/li>\n
  88. Marula Munyu<\/li>\n
  89. Mau Narok<\/li>\n
  90. Mawingo<\/li>\n
  91. Mbombo<\/li>\n
  92. Michatha<\/li>\n
  93. Misiba<\/li>\n
  94. Miti Mingi<\/li>\n
  95. Molo<\/li>\n
  96. Morendat<\/li>\n
  97. Morris<\/li>\n
  98. Muchorwi<\/li>\n
  99. Mukolombos<\/li>\n
  100. Mukungugu<\/li>\n
  101. Munanda<\/li>\n
  102. Mwangati<\/li>\n
  103. Mwigito<\/li>\n
  104. Naishi Settlement<\/li>\n
  105. Naivasha<\/li>\n
  106. Nakuru<\/li>\n
  107. Ndaysien<\/li>\n
  108. Nderit<\/li>\n
  109. Nderit Drift<\/li>\n
  110. Ndorobo<\/li>\n
  111. Ndoswa<\/li>\n
  112. Nenepa<\/li>\n
  113. Nessuiet<\/li>\n
  114. Ngata<\/li>\n
  115. Ngecha<\/li>\n
  116. Ngendalel<\/li>\n
  117. Ngesedai<\/li>\n
  118. Ngunyumu<\/li>\n
  119. Nguriiga Settlement<\/li>\n
  120. Njoro<\/li>\n
  121. Nyagacho<\/li>\n
  122. Nyota<\/li>\n
  123. Ol Morogi<\/li>\n
  124. Olenguruone<\/li>\n
  125. Omando<\/li>\n
  126. Poulton<\/li>\n
  127. Pyrethrum<\/li>\n
  128. Rare<\/li>\n
  129. Rongai<\/li>\n
  130. Runguma<\/li>\n
  131. Ruo<\/li>\n
  132. Rushford<\/li>\n
  133. Sasumua<\/li>\n
  134. Segor<\/li>\n
  135. Siapei<\/li>\n
  136. Solai<\/li>\n
  137. Somali Village<\/li>\n
  138. Songi<\/li>\n
  139. Songoni<\/li>\n
  140. Subukia<\/li>\n
  141. Taloa<\/li>\n
  142. Tandamara<\/li>\n
  143. Taramuka<\/li>\n
  144. Tinet<\/li>\n
  145. Tunne<\/li>\n
  146. Turasha Ridge Settlement<\/li>\n
  147. Turi<\/li>\n
  148. Wamgong<\/li>\n
  149. Waterer<\/li>\n
  150. Windhock<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Geography<\/h2>\n

    Nakuru occupies the floor and both walls of the Rift Valley, from about 1,700 m at Lake Naivasha to over 3,000 m in the Mau. Three Rift lakes lie in the county: Lake Nakuru, Lake Elmenteita and Lake Naivasha, the last being fresh water and the others alkaline. Volcanic features dominate the landscape, including the Menengai Crater north of the city, Mount Longonot, Eburru and the Hell’s Gate gorges. The Mau Forest Complex covers the western uplands and feeds the Molo, Njoro and Malewa rivers. Rainfall varies sharply, from about 600 mm on the valley floor to 1,800 mm in the Mau; temperatures range from 10\u00b0C at night in Molo to 29\u00b0C by day near Naivasha.<\/p>\n

    Nakuru borders eight counties: Baringo County<\/a> to the north, Laikipia County<\/a> to the north-east, Nyandarua County<\/a> to the east, Kiambu County<\/a> to the south-east, Kajiado County<\/a> to the south, Narok County<\/a> to the south-west, Bomet County<\/a> to the west and Kericho County<\/a> to the north-west.<\/p>\n

    Demographics<\/h2>\n

    The 2019 census recorded 2,162,202 people, about 288 per km\u00b2, but the distribution is uneven: the city, Naivasha and the Bahati highlands are crowded, while parts of Gilgil and the lake basins are thinly settled. Nakuru is one of Kenya’s most mixed counties. Kikuyu households are the largest group, with Kalenjin communities strong in Molo, Kuresoi and Rongai, Maasai families around Naivasha and Mai Mahiu, and Luhya, Luo, Kisii and Turkana workers throughout the flower farms and the city. Swahili is the common language of trade.<\/p>\n

    Economy and Local Life<\/h2>\n

    Nakuru’s economy is the broadest in the Rift Valley. Cut-flower and vegetable farms ring Lake Naivasha and export daily through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Geothermal power stations at Olkaria, run by KenGen, supply a large share of Kenya’s electricity. Large-scale wheat, barley, maize, potatoes and pyrethrum are grown at Mau Narok, Njoro, Molo and Rongai; dairy and horticulture dominate Subukia and Bahati. Nakuru City has milling, tanning, edible-oil and packaging plants, and Egerton University at Njoro is Kenya’s oldest agricultural university. Tourism runs on Lake Nakuru National Park, Hell’s Gate, Mount Longonot and Lake Elmenteita. Livestock and produce markets operate at Rongai, Subukia, Molo, Kampi ya Moto and Gilgil.<\/p>\n

    Getting There<\/h2>\n

    Nakuru City is 160 km north-west of Nairobi on the A104, the main highway to Eldoret and the Uganda border. Naivasha, 90 km from Nairobi, sits on the same road. The Nairobi\u2013Naivasha standard gauge railway ends at the Suswa terminus near Mai Mahiu, and the older metre-gauge line still runs through Nakuru, Gilgil, Njoro and Molo. Roads branch west from Nakuru to Kericho and Kisumu, north to Marigat and Baringo, and south-west from Mai Mahiu to Narok. Nakuru has Lanet airstrip; scheduled flights use Nairobi, about two hours away by road.<\/p>\n

    FAQ<\/h2>\n

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

    Nakuru City, which had 570,674 residents at the 2019 census and became Kenya’s fourth city in December 2021.<\/p>\n

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

    This page lists 150 named towns, trading centres, farm settlements and villages across the eleven sub-counties.<\/p>\n

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

    Bahati, Gilgil, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Molo, Naivasha, Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West, Njoro, Rongai and Subukia.<\/p>\n

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

    About 160 km on the A104 highway, roughly two hours by road.<\/p>\n

    Which lakes are in Nakuru County?<\/h3>\n

    Lake Nakuru and Lake Elmenteita, both alkaline, and Lake Naivasha, which is fresh water.<\/p>\n

    Which counties border Nakuru?<\/h3>\n

    Baringo, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Kajiado, Narok, Bomet and Kericho.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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