Largest Cities in Kenya

Top 100 cities ranked by largest cities

Largest Cities - Kenya

1 Nairobi 05 5,545,000
2 Mombasa 37 1,208,333
3 Murang’a 38 1,056,640
4 Ruiru 22 490,120
5 Kisumu 26 397,957
6 Kikuyu 22 323,881
7 Nakuru 39 307,990
8 Eldoret 52 289,380
9 Thika 05 251,407
10 Naivasha 39 198,444
11 Lunga-Lunga 28 198,423
12 Karuri 38 194,342
13 Karuri 22 194,342
14 Matuga 28 194,252
15 Mwala 31 181,896
16 Ongata Rongai 19 172,570
17 Lang'ata 05 172,569
18 Jomvu 37 163,415
19 Garissa 16 163,399
20 Kitale 50 162,169
21 Limuru 22 159,314
22 Juja 22 156,041
23 Kitengela 19 154,436
24 Kiambu 22 147,870
25 Ramu 33 143,850
26 Mlolongo 31 136,351
27 Kilifi 23 122,899
28 Malindi 23 119,859
29 Mandera 33 114,718
30 Khwisero 20 113,294
31 Kisii 25 112,417
32 Nyambunwa 25 112,417
33 Ngong 19 102,323
34 Mumias 20 99,987
35 Kakamega 20 91,778
36 Mtwapa 23 90,677
37 Wajir 54 90,116
38 Lafey 33 83,457
39 Lodwar 51 82,970
40 Athi River 31 81,302
41 Meru 35 80,191
42 Nyeri 44 80,081
43 Ukunda 28 77,686
44 Kiserian 19 76,903
45 Nanyuki 29 72,813
46 Busia 13 71,886
47 Migori 36 71,668
48 Narok 41 65,430
49 Embu 15 64,979
50 Machakos 31 63,767
51 Githunguri 31 63,319
52 Githunguri 22 63,319
53 El Wak 33 60,732
54 Upper Gilgil 43 60,711
55 Gilgil 39 60,711
56 Kimilili 12 56,050
57 Kapenguria 55 56,000
58 Bungoma 12 55,857
59 Voi 47 53,353
60 Imara Daima Estate 05 52,837
61 Wanguru 24 51,722
62 Habaswein 54 49,599
63 Molo 39 48,356
64 Moyale 34 47,850
65 Ol Kalou 43 47,795
66 Isiolo 18 45,989
67 Homa Bay 17 44,949
68 Kenol 38 44,086
69 Kinoi 31 44,086
70 Masalani 48 43,642
71 Webuye 12 42,642
72 Njoro 39 42,173
73 Iten 14 42,000
74 Kapsabet 40 41,997
75 Lugulu 13 40,894
76 Tetu 44 39,293
77 Nyahururu 29 37,650
78 Mariakani 23 31,715
79 Maralal 45 31,350
80 Mairo Inya 43 30,527
81 Rongai 39 30,471
82 Kerugoya 24 30,045
83 Pumwani 05 29,616
84 Kitui 27 29,062
85 Makutano 55 28,469
86 Elburgon 39 28,359
87 Watamu 23 27,857
88 Lamu 30 25,385
89 Kajiado 19 24,678
90 Kabarnet 10 24,661
91 Nyamira 42 24,483
92 Isebania 36 23,891
93 Karatina 44 23,552
94 Kakuma 51 22,984
95 Bondo 46 22,712
96 Siaya 46 22,586
97 Chuka 49 22,388
98 Kihancha 36 22,194
99 Maua 35 22,121
100 Taveta 47 22,018

The largest cities in Kenya represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Nairobi leads with a population of 5,545,000, followed by Mombasa and Murang’a. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. 05 dominates the top 10 with 2 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

  • 1. Nairobi's population is larger than that of more than 30 U.S. states.
  • 2. 05 has 2 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
  • 3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 63,767 - larger than most cities worldwide.
  • 4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 8,698,050.

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