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Do you live in Kenya’s richest County? You’re probably wondering why this matters—employment rates and cash flow are high in these regions.
The richest counties in Kenya include Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Machakos, Meru, and Uasin Gishu. These Counties boast a wealth of resources, including minerals, industries, and economic assets.
Besides employment and cash flow, living in the richest counties has a lot of advantages like developed infrastructure and easy access to services such as banking and travel facilitation.
So, which countries are the richest in Kenya?
Let’s find out!
Top 30 Richest Counties In Kenya
Similar to how a country’s wealth rank is rated through GDP, County’s are also rated with the same metric. Following the Gross County Product metric the top richest counties as of today include the following:
1. Nairobi
Which other county is the wealthiest in the country if not Nairobi?
The 047 county boasts a 27.6% Gross County Product which is the highest in the country. This position is credited to the numerous economic activities. Some of the main contributors to this wealth include:
- Financial and insurance services
- Real estate
- Information and communication
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Waste collection
- Administration services
- Trade
Nairobi bears all industries in one region, making it a thriving center for business. As a result, it enjoys high cash flow, making it the richest county in the country.
2. Kiambu
Holding the second top richest position is Kiambu County with a Gross County Product of 5.9%. So, how does Kiambu obtain its wealth?
Similar to its neighboring county Nairobi, Kiambu owes its second position to economic activities, including the following:
- Mining and quarrying
- Electricity supply
- Waste management
- Professional and technical services
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Real estate
- Water supply
- Administration support services
Additionally, Kiambu’s proximity to Nairobi is a great bridge to its wealth as a high population of the county’s residents work in Nairobi.
3. Mombasa
The 001 county holds the third position in this ranking with a GCP of 5.2%. Famous for its tourist attractions, Mombasa hosts a lot of tourists who visit the country every year, especially during summer holidays.
The country’s proximity to the Indian Ocean is also a key trade resource for our neighboring countries, such as Uganda, which is a landlocked country.
The main activities that contribute to the county’s wealth include:
- Manufacturing
- Transport and storage
- Construction
- Trade such as motor vehicle assembly and repair
- Financial and insurance activities
- Accommodation and food businesses
4. Nakuru
Nakuru is the fourth richest county in Kenya owing to its thriving agricultural sector. As the richest county in the Rift Valley, Nakuru hosts numerous agricultural businesses, including agrovets, farming equipment enterprises, and veterinary services.
Additionally, the county is the home of attractive sites such as lakes, game parks, and landscapes. As a result, it attracts tour and travel businesses like accommodation and food services.
Other economic activities that bring Nakuru to this position include:
- Storage (Nakuru has numerous silos)
- Transportation
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Information and communication
- Electricity supply
5. Machakos
With an annual Gross County Product of 3.5%, Machakos holds the fifth position in the county’s ranking. The main sectors contributing to Machako’s economic growth include the following;
- Construction
- Professional and technical services
- Quarrying and mining
- Manufacturing
6. Meru
Meru County boasts numerous fortunes from good soils to economic assets and favorable weather. All these factors provide a great environment for growth and production, making it one of the top Counties in Kenya.
Some of the top sectors that contribute to Meru’s wealth include the following:
- Agriculture
- Mining and quarrying
- Forestry
- Transport and storage
- Education
- Professional and technical services
- Human health services
Meru boasts a GCP of 3.2% which is quite high for most counties. Some of the popular agricultural products from this County include roses and Miraa.
7. Kisumu
Next to the Great Lake Victoria is Kisumu County, the capital of Nyanza. Kisumu County is among the main cities in the country, hence it’s a center for numerous economic and industrial activities.
Some of the activities garnering high GCP for Kisumu include
- Transport and storage
- Fishing
- Real estate
- Professional and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Accommodation and food service
The annual Gross County Product for Kisumu is 2.6%.
8. Uasin Gishu
Uasin Gishu is second in the Rift Valley after Nakuru County with a Gross County Product of 2.4%. Known for its large-scale maize and wheat farms, this county is a top contributor to the country’s production.
Other sectors that contribute to the County’s wealth are:
- Education
- Accommodation and food services
- Professional and technical services
- Human health services
- Social work activities
9. Kakamega
As the tenth largest Kenyan city, Kakamega comes ninth in county ranking with an annual Gross County Product of 2.2%. This city owes its wealth to different sectors including:
- Human health services
- Professional and technical services
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Fishing
- Water supply and waste management
- Education
- Public administration
- Defense
10. Kilifi
Following Mombasa is Kilifi County in the coastal region with an annual GCP of 2.2%. Kilifi’s main income source comes from the mining and quarrying industry. The county is also known for its cashew nuts, sisal, and coconut palms production. Other sectors contributing to Kilifi’s wealth include:
- Accommodation and food services
- Water supply
- Waste collection
- Agriculture (pineapple, mangoes, and palm wine)
- Human health
- Social work activities
- Education
The county also grows staple foods such as cowpeas, cassava, maize, green grams, and bananas.
11. Bungoma
As one of the oldest trading centers in Kenya, Bungoma was established in the 20th century. The county which boasts a Gross County Product of 2.1% yearly, earns its income from diverse industries, including:
- Education
- Agriculture
- Fishing
- Forestry
- Public administration and defense
- Transport and storage
If you are familiar with Bungoma’s fertile lands, you know the county’s farmers are great sugarcane producers.
12. Nyeri
In the central region is Nyeri County, famous for hosting numerous industry productions. The main productions in Nyeri include; soft drinks, food processing, cord, rope, twine, fabrics, wood, leather goods, and soap.
Other sectors contributing to Nyeri’s 2.1% annual GCP are:
- Mining and quarrying
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Fishing
- Administrative services
- Health and social work
- Education
Additionally, Nyeri has some great escapements and tourist attractions that make it a home for tourists visiting the country.
13. Muranga
At 2.1% annual Gross County product is Muranga County. The region that gave rise to the Mau Mau freedom fighters mainly relies on cash crop production; tea and coffee.
Besides growing cash crops, Muranga also relies on the following sectors for its revenue:
- Mining and quarrying
- Professional and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
- Education
14. Kisii
At the 14th position in the richest county rankings is Kisii which has earned the fast-growing county in the western region. Kisii mainly fetches its revenue from the agriculture and commerce sectors.
Other sectors that contribute to the county’s wealth include the following:
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Transport and storage
- Public administration and defense
If you’ve visited Kisii County you must be familiar with the large tracts of fertile land, growing crops like bananas, sugarcane, groundnuts, and maize. All these help the county to hit an annual GCP of 2.0%.
15. Kericho
In the fifteenth position is Kericho County with a yearly Gross County product of 1.7%. The county which has a warm and temperate climate is famous for its large-scale tea production.
However, Kericho also relies on other sectors for its revenue, including:
- Electricity supply
- Administrative services
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Construction
The Emerging Counties
While this list entails the 15 counties with the highest revenue, there are upcoming regions that we should look out for in the coming years. Turkana and Kwale are among the uprising counties with a wealth of untapped natural resources and their strategic locations.
As a result, investors are turning their attention to these two Counties establishing businesses and investing in mining activities. Other emerging Counties such as Isiolo and Taita Taveta are benefiting highly from the developed infrastructure and agricultural productivity.
Laikipia County is also making exceptional strides toward increasing its revenue and Gross County Product. How? The County has experienced increased eco-tourism activities that are spiking the income.
Another emerging region enjoying the establishment of multiple agricultural ventures, manufacturing plants, and hospitality services is Narok County. Moreover, Narok has favorable conditions for investors to diversify their business portfolios.
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which County Is Poorest In Kenya?
Turkana has been classified as one of the poorest counties in Kenya in the past analysis. However, recent reports show there is increased economic activity that might change its position in rankings exceptionally.
2. What Is The Richest City In Kenya?
The richest city in Kenya is Nairobi with a 27.6% annual Gross County Product. For instance, in 2022 the city recorded a GDP of 186 billion US dollars. The main contributors to Nairobi’s revenue are the financial services and real estate sectors.
3. Which Is The Best County In Kenya?
The Counties with the most favorable living conditions include:
- Makueni County
- Elegeyo Marakwet County
- Uasin Gishu County
- West Pokot
- Kericho
Conclusion
The ranking of a county’s wealth or poor state relies on its revenue which mainly relies on its production. Nairobi holds the first position due to the numerous economic and industrial activities taking place in this city.
Similar to the financial well-being of a County, your financial state matters. That’s why we offer numerous resources to help you clear debts, budget, and plan for your financial future. Visit our store to explore these resources today!
