Nairobi City County
Nairobi City County is one of the 47 Counties of Kenya and serves as the capital of Kenya. It is the most populous county as of the 2019 census with a population of 4,397,073, yet among the smallest in area at 696.1 km². Despite its small size, Nairobi County contributes approximately 27.5% of Kenya's Gross Domestic Product, making it the economic powerhouse of the nation.
The county was established on 4 March 2013 under Kenya's new constitution, replacing the former Nairobi Province administrative unit. It comprises 17 constituencies and 85 electoral wards, with 11 gazetted sub-counties for administrative purposes.
History
Foundation and early development (1899-1920)
Nairobi was founded in 1899 as a supply depot and railway camp for the Uganda Railway, which was being constructed by the British colonial administration to connect Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coast to Uganda. The site was selected for its central location between Mombasa and Kampala, and for its network of rivers that could supply water to the camp. The name "Nairobi" derives from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyrobi, meaning "place of cool waters," referring to the Nairobi River that flows through the area.The initial settlement consisted of tents and basic structures housing approximately 5,000 railway workers, including European engineers, indentured Indian laborers, and African porters. The area was previously inhabited by the Maasai people, Akamba people, and Kikuyu people, who were displaced by colonial authorities.
In 1900, an outbreak of bubonic plague necessitated the burning and rebuilding of the original settlement, leading to more organized urban planning. By 1905, Nairobi had grown sufficiently to replace Machakos as the capital of the East Africa Protectorate. The railway headquarters moved from Mombasa to Nairobi in 1901, establishing the city as a critical transport and administrative hub.
Colonial era (1920-1963)
In 1919, Nairobi formally became a municipality as the Nairobi Municipal Council, with its boundaries extended to include surrounding settlements. The city attracted European settlers who were encouraged by British authorities to establish farms in the fertile highlands, with Nairobi serving as their commercial and administrative center. Urban development during this period was characterized by racial segregation, with Europeans occupying the northern and western areas, Asians in central commercial areas, and Africans confined to overcrowded eastern and southern sectors.In 1950, the city celebrated 50 years of local government, and petitioned King George VI for city status. The petition was granted, and on 30 March 1950, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester presented the Royal Charter elevating Nairobi to city status. The Kenya government simultaneously presented the city with a ceremonial mace.
The Mau Mau Uprising significantly impacted Nairobi. Although the conflict was primarily rural, the city became a center for mass arrests of suspected Mau Mau supporters, particularly among the Kikuyu population. Operation Anvil in 1954 resulted in over 30,000 arrests in Nairobi alone, with 16,000 detained as active Mau Mau supporters.
Post-independence era (1963-2013)
Following Kenya's independence on 12 December 1963, Nairobi retained its status as the national capital. The city experienced rapid population growth driven by rural-to-urban migration, expanding from approximately 348,000 in 1965 to 531,000 by 1970. European residents largely departed, with their properties acquired by the new African elite and government officials.The post-independence period saw continued spatial inequality, as the new ruling class largely maintained the colonial-era segregation patterns. Informal settlements proliferated in the eastern and southern parts of the city, including Kibera, which grew to become one of Africa's largest slums. Major developments included the establishment of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in 1973 and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
On 7 August 1998, the U.S. Embassy bombing by Al-Qaeda killed over 200 people in Nairobi and injured more than 5,000, marking one of the city's darkest moments.
In 2007, Nairobi hosted the World Social Forum, and the city continued to grow as East Africa's primary financial and diplomatic hub, hosting the regional headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Office at Nairobi.
Devolution era (2013-present)
On 4 March 2013, under the new Kenyan Constitution promulgated in 2010, the Nairobi City Council was dissolved and replaced by Nairobi City County as part of Kenya's devolution into 47 counties. The first governor, Evans Kidero, was elected in March 2013, followed by Mike Sonko and Johnson Sakaja.The devolution brought significant changes to governance structure, with increased autonomy for county administration and direct election of the governor. However, the transition also brought challenges, including conflicts between county and national government over control of key city functions.
Geography
Location and terrain
Nairobi County lies approximately at latitude 1.2833°S, longitude 36.8167°E in the south-central part of Kenya. The terrain varies from gently rolling plains to steep valleys, particularly on the eastern and northern boundaries, with forested areas including parts of former forest reserves and green belts around the city.The county borders:
- Kiambu County to the north and west
- Kajiado County to the south
- Machakos County to the east
Climate
Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate with consistent moderate temperatures year-round. The average annual temperature is approximately 18.8 °C, with February being the warmest month at around 21°C and July the coolest at 17°C.The county receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 674-698 mm, with two distinct rainy seasons:
- Long rains: March to May, with April being the wettest month
- Short rains: October to December
Demographics
Population
According to the 2019 census conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Nairobi City County had a population of 4,397,073, making it the most populous county in Kenya. This represents a significant increase from the 2009 census figure of 3,138,369.The county had 1,506,888 households in 2019, with an average household size of 2.9 persons, the smallest in Kenya. The population density was 6,247 people per km², the highest in the country.
Population by age (2019)
The data shows a predominantly youthful population, with 47.5% of residents aged between 15-35 years, reflecting Nairobi's role as an economic magnet attracting young workers from across Kenya.Population by sub-county
Embakasi was the most populous sub-county with 988,808 residents, while Mathare, the smallest sub-county at 3 km², had the highest population density of 68,942 people per km².Religion
According to the 2019 census, Christianity is the predominant religion in Nairobi County:| Religion | Percentage |
| Christianity | 89.0% |
| Islam | 7.6% |
| Other religions | 3.4% |
Of the Christian population, the majority belong to Protestant and Evangelical churches, with significant Catholic and other Christian denominations also present.
Government and politics
County government
The county government is headed by the Governor who is elected directly by voters and serves as the chief executive. The current governor is Johnson Arthur Sakaja, elected in August 2022. The governor appoints a deputy governor and a cabinet to oversee various county departments.The Nairobi City County Assembly serves as the legislative body, headed by the County Speaker. Members of the County Assembly represent the 85 electoral wards, with additional nominated members for affirmative action purposes.
National representation
Nairobi County sends representatives to Kenya's national legislature:- 17 Members of Parliament to the National Assembly
- 1 County Woman Representative to the National Assembly
- 1 Senator to the Senate
Administrative divisions
Constituencies and wards
Nairobi County is divided into 17 constituencies, which are further subdivided into 85 electoral wards:| Constituency | Number of wards | Sample wards |
| Westlands | 5 | Kitisuru, Parklands/Highridge, Kangemi, Mountain View, Karura |
| Dagoretti North | 5 | Kilimani, Kawangware, Gatina, Kileleshwa, Kabiro |
| Dagoretti South | 5 | Mutuini, Ngando, Riruta, Uthiru/Ruthimitu, Waithaka |
| Langata | 5 | Karen, Nairobi West, Mugumo-ini, South C, Nyayo Highrise |
| Kibra | 5 | Laini Saba, Lindi, Makina, Woodley/Kenyatta Golf, Sarangombe |
| Roysambu | 5 | Githurai, Kahawa West, Zimmerman, Roysambu, Kahawa |
| Kasarani | 5 | Clay City, Mwiki, Kasarani, Njiru, Ruai |
| Ruaraka | 5 | Babadogo, Utalii, Mathare North, Lucky Summer, Korogocho |
| Embakasi South | 5 | Imara Daima, Kwa Njenga, Kwa Reuben, Pipeline, Kware |
| Embakasi North | 5 | Kariobangi North, Dandora Area I-IV |
| Embakasi Central | 5 | Kayole North, Kayole Central, Kayole South, Komarock, Matopeni |
| Embakasi East | 5 | Upper Savanna, Lower Savanna, Embakasi, Utawala, Mihango |
| Embakasi West | 5 | Umoja I, Umoja II, Mowlem, Kariobangi South |
| Makadara | 5 | Maringo/Hamza, Viwandani, Harambee, Makongeni, South B |
| Kamukunji | 5 | Pumwani, Eastleigh North, Eastleigh South, Airbase, California |
| Starehe | 5 | Landimawe, Nairobi Central, Ngara, Pangani, Ziwani/Kariokor |
| Mathare | 5 | Hospital, Mabatini, Huruma, Ngei, Mlango Kubwa |