Kenya County Numbers 1–47: Complete List and Codes
Kenya has 47 counties, numbered from 1 to 47. Mombasa is county number 1, while Nairobi is county number 47. In official government and electoral records, these identifiers are usually written as three-digit codes: Mombasa is 001, while Nairobi is 047.
County numbers help identify Kenya’s constitutionally recognised devolved units. You may encounter them in election results, government forms, census tables, administrative records, statistical datasets and county documents.
A county number is not the same as a postal code, telephone code, constituency number, ward code, vehicle registration or airport code.
Complete list of Kenya county numbers from 1 to 47
| Number | Official code | County | Broad historical region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 001 | Mombasa | Coast |
| 2 | 002 | Kwale | Coast |
| 3 | 003 | Kilifi | Coast |
| 4 | 004 | Tana River | Coast |
| 5 | 005 | Lamu | Coast |
| 6 | 006 | Taita–Taveta | Coast |
| 7 | 007 | Garissa | North Eastern |
| 8 | 008 | Wajir | North Eastern |
| 9 | 009 | Mandera | North Eastern |
| 10 | 010 | Marsabit | Eastern |
| 11 | 011 | Isiolo | Eastern |
| 12 | 012 | Meru | Eastern |
| 13 | 013 | Tharaka–Nithi | Eastern |
| 14 | 014 | Embu | Eastern |
| 15 | 015 | Kitui | Eastern |
| 16 | 016 | Machakos | Eastern |
| 17 | 017 | Makueni | Eastern |
| 18 | 018 | Nyandarua | Central |
| 19 | 019 | Nyeri | Central |
| 20 | 020 | Kirinyaga | Central |
| 21 | 021 | Murang’a | Central |
| 22 | 022 | Kiambu | Central |
| 23 | 023 | Turkana | Rift Valley |
| 24 | 024 | West Pokot | Rift Valley |
| 25 | 025 | Samburu | Rift Valley |
| 26 | 026 | Trans Nzoia | Rift Valley |
| 27 | 027 | Uasin Gishu | Rift Valley |
| 28 | 028 | Elgeyo–Marakwet | Rift Valley |
| 29 | 029 | Nandi | Rift Valley |
| 30 | 030 | Baringo | Rift Valley |
| 31 | 031 | Laikipia | Rift Valley |
| 32 | 032 | Nakuru | Rift Valley |
| 33 | 033 | Narok | Rift Valley |
| 34 | 034 | Kajiado | Rift Valley |
| 35 | 035 | Kericho | Rift Valley |
| 36 | 036 | Bomet | Rift Valley |
| 37 | 037 | Kakamega | Western |
| 38 | 038 | Vihiga | Western |
| 39 | 039 | Bungoma | Western |
| 40 | 040 | Busia | Western |
| 41 | 041 | Siaya | Nyanza |
| 42 | 042 | Kisumu | Nyanza |
| 43 | 043 | Homa Bay | Nyanza |
| 44 | 044 | Migori | Nyanza |
| 45 | 045 | Kisii | Nyanza |
| 46 | 046 | Nyamira | Nyanza |
| 47 | 047 | Nairobi | Nairobi |
Quick answer: Nairobi is county number 47, officially written as county code 047. It is the final county in Kenya’s constitutional list.
What are Kenya county numbers?
Kenya county numbers are numeric identifiers assigned to the country’s 47 counties. The numbers follow the order in which the counties appear in the First Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya.
The numbers can be written in two formats:
- Short format: 1 to 47
- Official three-digit format: 001 to 047
Both formats refer to the same counties. For example:
- County 1 and county code 001 both mean Mombasa.
- County 7 and county code 007 both mean Garissa.
- County 22 and county code 022 both mean Kiambu.
- County 30 and county code 030 both mean Baringo.
- County 47 and county code 047 both mean Nairobi.
The three-digit format is commonly used in government, election and statistical records because it creates a consistent data format.
Why does Kenya have 47 counties?
Kenya has 47 counties because the Constitution of Kenya established them as the country’s units of devolved government.
Article 6 of the Constitution divides Kenya into the counties listed in the First Schedule. Each county has a county government consisting of a county assembly and a county executive.
Kenya therefore has two distinct but interdependent levels of government:
- The national government
- The 47 county governments
The Constitution was promulgated on 27 August 2010. County governments became operational following the first general election held under the new Constitution in 2013.
The State Department for Devolution confirms that Article 6 establishes 47 counties as Kenya’s devolved units.
Were Kenya’s 47 counties previously provinces?
Kenya’s counties and former provinces are not the same administrative units.
Before the 2010 Constitution, Kenya was commonly divided into eight provinces:
- Coast Province
- North Eastern Province
- Eastern Province
- Central Province
- Rift Valley Province
- Western Province
- Nyanza Province
- Nairobi Province
The current county-number sequence broadly follows these former provincial groupings. That is why Mombasa, Kwale and the other coastal counties appear first, while Nairobi appears last.
However, the provinces are no longer an additional level of devolved government. They are mainly useful as historical and broad geographic descriptions.
Current regional economic blocs may also group counties differently. Therefore, “Coast,” “Central,” “Rift Valley” and similar labels in this guide are orientation aids rather than separate county governments.
Kenya county numbers by region
Coast counties: numbers 1–6
Kenya’s county list begins at the Indian Ocean coast.
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 001 | Mombasa |
| 2 | 002 | Kwale |
| 3 | 003 | Kilifi |
| 4 | 004 | Tana River |
| 5 | 005 | Lamu |
| 6 | 006 | Taita–Taveta |
These counties extend from the densely urbanised island and mainland areas of Mombasa to the beaches of Kwale and Kilifi, the Tana River basin, the Lamu Archipelago and the inland highlands of Taita–Taveta.
North Eastern counties: numbers 7–9
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 007 | Garissa |
| 8 | 008 | Wajir |
| 9 | 009 | Mandera |
Garissa, Wajir and Mandera form the three-county sequence historically associated with Kenya’s former North Eastern Province.
Eastern counties: numbers 10–17
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 010 | Marsabit |
| 11 | 011 | Isiolo |
| 12 | 012 | Meru |
| 13 | 013 | Tharaka–Nithi |
| 14 | 014 | Embu |
| 15 | 015 | Kitui |
| 16 | 016 | Machakos |
| 17 | 017 | Makueni |
This is a geographically diverse group. It runs from the arid northern counties of Marsabit and Isiolo through the Mount Kenya highlands and into the lower-elevation counties of Kitui, Machakos and Makueni.
Central counties: numbers 18–22
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | 018 | Nyandarua |
| 19 | 019 | Nyeri |
| 20 | 020 | Kirinyaga |
| 21 | 021 | Murang’a |
| 22 | 022 | Kiambu |
Kiambu, county number 22, is particularly relevant to Nairobi because it borders Nairobi City County to the north and west. Several urban areas commonly associated with metropolitan Nairobi are legally within Kiambu County.
Rift Valley counties: numbers 23–36
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 023 | Turkana |
| 24 | 024 | West Pokot |
| 25 | 025 | Samburu |
| 26 | 026 | Trans Nzoia |
| 27 | 027 | Uasin Gishu |
| 28 | 028 | Elgeyo–Marakwet |
| 29 | 029 | Nandi |
| 30 | 030 | Baringo |
| 31 | 031 | Laikipia |
| 32 | 032 | Nakuru |
| 33 | 033 | Narok |
| 34 | 034 | Kajiado |
| 35 | 035 | Kericho |
| 36 | 036 | Bomet |
This is the longest regional sequence in the county-number list. It includes 14 counties extending from Turkana in northwestern Kenya to Bomet and Kericho in the south.
Kajiado, county number 34, borders Nairobi to the south. Parts of the wider Nairobi metropolitan area extend into Kajiado County, but Kajiado and Nairobi remain separate county jurisdictions.
Western counties: numbers 37–40
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | 037 | Kakamega |
| 38 | 038 | Vihiga |
| 39 | 039 | Bungoma |
| 40 | 040 | Busia |
The Western sequence contains four counties. Busia is number 40 and lies along Kenya’s border with Uganda.
Nyanza counties: numbers 41–46
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | 041 | Siaya |
| 42 | 042 | Kisumu |
| 43 | 043 | Homa Bay |
| 44 | 044 | Migori |
| 45 | 045 | Kisii |
| 46 | 046 | Nyamira |
The Nyanza sequence includes counties around Lake Victoria as well as the western highland counties of Kisii and Nyamira.
Nairobi: county number 47
| Number | Code | County |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | 047 | Nairobi |
Nairobi forms the final entry in the constitutional county list. Its number is 47, and its official three-digit code is 047.
What county number is Nairobi?
Nairobi is county number 47. Its official county code is 047.
Nairobi City County is one of Kenya’s 47 devolved units. It also contains Nairobi, the national capital and the country’s principal political, commercial, diplomatic and transport centre.
Nairobi’s position at number 47 does not indicate its size, population, age, economic importance or administrative rank. County numbers are identifiers, not rankings.
For a broader introduction to the capital, visit the Nairobi city guide or use the complete Nairobi travel guide to plan a visit.
Is Nairobi a city or a county?
Nairobi is both a city and a county, although these terms describe different aspects of the same place.
- Nairobi city is Kenya’s capital and principal urban centre.
- Nairobi City County is one of Kenya’s 47 county governments.
- Nairobi metropolitan area is a broader urban and commuter region extending beyond the county boundary.
The metropolitan area is not a separate county and does not have its own county number. It includes settlements and commuter corridors in Nairobi and parts of surrounding counties.
This distinction matters when interpreting addresses, booking accommodation, buying property, selecting schools or determining which county government provides local services.
Which counties border Nairobi?
Nairobi City County borders three counties:
| Neighbouring county | County number | Direction from Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Kiambu | 22 or 022 | North and west |
| Machakos | 16 or 016 | East |
| Kajiado | 34 or 034 | South |
The boundary does not always match how people describe the metropolitan area. Some properties and developments marketed as being in Nairobi are legally situated in one of these neighbouring counties.
For example:
- Some northern and northeastern metropolitan settlements fall within Kiambu County.
- Some eastern commuter settlements fall within Machakos County.
- Some southern metropolitan developments fall within Kajiado County.
Before choosing where to live or stay, check the exact address and map position rather than relying entirely on the word “Nairobi.” The Nairobi neighbourhoods and suburbs guide explains how the city’s main districts fit together.
Is Kiambu part of Nairobi County?
No. Kiambu is a separate county identified as county number 22 or code 022.
Kiambu borders Nairobi and forms an important part of the wider metropolitan economy. Its settlements are closely connected to Nairobi through employment, housing, transport and commuting patterns, but they remain under the jurisdiction of the Kiambu County Government.
An area can therefore be part of metropolitan Nairobi without being legally located in Nairobi City County.
Is Kajiado part of Nairobi County?
No. Kajiado is county number 34, while Nairobi is county number 47.
The two counties border each other, and their urban development is interconnected along major southern transport corridors. Nevertheless, they have separate county governments, boundaries and administrative systems.
Is Machakos part of Nairobi County?
No. Machakos is county number 16, officially written as 016.
Machakos borders Nairobi to the east. Some residential, industrial and logistics developments outside Nairobi’s eastern boundary are located in Machakos County, even when they are commercially associated with the Nairobi metropolitan area.
Why is Nairobi county number 47?
Nairobi is county number 47 because it appears as the 47th and final county in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
The sequence broadly follows Kenya’s former provincial groupings:
- Coast
- North Eastern
- Eastern
- Central
- Rift Valley
- Western
- Nyanza
- Nairobi
Nairobi was historically treated separately as Nairobi Province. It therefore appears after the six Nyanza counties at the end of the county list.
The number does not mean Nairobi was the last place established, the least populated county or the lowest-ranked county.
What is the difference between 47 and 047?
There is no difference in the county being identified.
- 47 is the ordinary short form.
- 047 is the standard three-digit administrative form.
Both identify Nairobi City County.
Leading zeroes are useful in databases and spreadsheets because they give every county code the same length. Without them, codes such as 1, 10 and 47 would contain different numbers of digits.
When completing an official form, use the format requested by the system. If a three-digit county code is required, enter 047 for Nairobi rather than 47.
County numbers and county names in official records
County codes are commonly used in structured records because names can be written in slightly different ways.
Examples include:
- Taita–Taveta or Taita Taveta
- Tharaka–Nithi or Tharaka Nithi
- Elgeyo–Marakwet or Elgeyo Marakwet
- Murang’a or Muranga
- Homa Bay or Homabay
The county code remains a reliable identifier even when punctuation, spacing or capitalisation differs between systems.
For official use, follow the spelling and format shown on the relevant government form or dataset.
County number, constituency code and ward code
A county number identifies one of Kenya’s 47 counties. Constituency and ward codes identify smaller electoral areas within counties.
The geographic hierarchy is:
Kenya → county → constituency → county assembly ward
For example, a voter record may contain separate fields for:
- County code
- County name
- Constituency code
- Constituency name
- County assembly ward code
- Ward name
- Polling station
These numbers should not be used interchangeably. County 001 is Mombasa, but a constituency code appearing as 001 in another column may identify a different electoral unit.
Always check the column heading before interpreting a number.
County code versus postal code
A county code identifies a devolved government unit. A postal code identifies a postal delivery area or post office.
For Nairobi:
- County number: 47
- County code: 047
- Postal code: depends on the relevant postal area or post office
Nairobi does not have one universal postal code that replaces all locality-specific postal codes. Therefore, 047 should not be entered into a field requesting a postal code.
County code versus Kenya’s telephone code
Kenya’s international telephone country code is +254. It is unrelated to the 1–47 county-number system.
For example:
- +254 identifies Kenya in an international telephone number.
- 047 identifies Nairobi in the county-code system.
A telephone country code identifies a country, while a county code identifies an administrative unit within Kenya.
County code versus vehicle registration
Kenyan vehicle registration numbers do not use the 1–47 county-number list as ordinary county identifiers.
A vehicle being registered or operated in Nairobi does not use 047 as its standard number plate simply because Nairobi is county number 47.
County codes and vehicle registration marks belong to separate identification systems.
County code versus airport code
County codes are also different from airport codes.
Nairobi provides a useful example:
| Identifier | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 47 | Nairobi’s county number |
| 047 | Nairobi’s official three-digit county code |
| NBO | IATA code associated with Nairobi’s principal air gateway |
| HKJK | ICAO code for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport |
| WIL | IATA code for Wilson Airport |
| HKNW | ICAO code for Wilson Airport |
Airport codes identify aviation facilities or metropolitan air markets. They do not identify county governments.
How to find a county from its number
If you encounter a county number in a government table, spreadsheet or PDF, use this process:
- Identify the field or column containing the number.
- Confirm that the heading says “county code” or “county number.”
- Convert a short number into three-digit format if necessary.
- Search for the number in the complete county table.
- Confirm that the county name matches the context.
- Check that you have not confused the county field with a constituency or ward field.
For example:
- 3 becomes 003: Kilifi
- 7 becomes 007: Garissa
- 16 becomes 016: Machakos
- 22 becomes 022: Kiambu
- 34 becomes 034: Kajiado
- 47 becomes 047: Nairobi
Quick county-number lookup by range
| Number range | Broad grouping |
|---|---|
| 1–6 | Coast |
| 7–9 | North Eastern |
| 10–17 | Eastern |
| 18–22 | Central |
| 23–36 | Rift Valley |
| 37–40 | Western |
| 41–46 | Nyanza |
| 47 | Nairobi |
This pattern provides a simple way to narrow down an unfamiliar county number.
For example:
- A number between 1 and 6 belongs to the coastal sequence.
- A number between 23 and 36 belongs to the Rift Valley sequence.
- A number between 41 and 46 belongs to the Nyanza sequence.
- Number 47 always identifies Nairobi.
Frequently asked questions about Kenya county numbers
Which county is number 1 in Kenya?
Mombasa is county number 1, officially written as county code 001.
Which county is number 2?
Kwale is county number 2, officially written as 002.
Which county is number 3?
Kilifi is county number 3, officially written as 003.
Which county is number 7?
Garissa is county number 7, officially written as 007.
Which county is number 10?
Marsabit is county number 10, officially written as 010.
Which county is number 12?
Meru is county number 12, officially written as 012.
Which county is number 16?
Machakos is county number 16, officially written as 016. It borders Nairobi County to the east.
Which county is number 17?
Makueni is county number 17, officially written as 017.
Which county is number 18?
Nyandarua is county number 18, officially written as 018.
Which county is number 22?
Kiambu is county number 22, officially written as 022. It borders Nairobi County to the north and west.
Which county is number 23?
Turkana is county number 23, officially written as 023.
Which county is number 27?
Uasin Gishu is county number 27, officially written as 027.
Which county is number 30?
Baringo is county number 30, officially written as 030.
Which county is number 31?
Laikipia is county number 31, officially written as 031.
Which county is number 32?
Nakuru is county number 32, officially written as 032.
Which county is number 33?
Narok is county number 33, officially written as 033.
Which county is number 34?
Kajiado is county number 34, officially written as 034. It borders Nairobi to the south.
Which county is number 37?
Kakamega is county number 37, officially written as 037.
Which county is number 40?
Busia is county number 40, officially written as 040.
Which county is number 42?
Kisumu is county number 42, officially written as 042.
Which county is number 45?
Kisii is county number 45, officially written as 045.
Which county is number 46?
Nyamira is county number 46, officially written as 046.
Which county is number 47?
Nairobi is county number 47, officially written as 047.
Which is the last county number in Kenya?
County number 47 is the last number in Kenya’s constitutional county list. It identifies Nairobi City County.
Are county numbers based on population?
No. County numbers do not rank counties by population. A lower number does not mean a county has more residents, and a higher number does not mean it has fewer.
Are county numbers based on county size?
No. The sequence is not based on land area. Some geographically large counties have low or middle numbers, while the comparatively compact Nairobi City County is number 47.
Can Kenya’s county numbers change?
The sequence is tied to the 47 counties recognised by the Constitution and is treated as a stable official reference. A significant change would require an appropriate legal and constitutional process.
For formal legal, electoral or administrative work, always check the current official document being used.
Understanding Nairobi within the county system
Nairobi’s identity can be confusing because “Nairobi” may describe several overlapping entities:
- Nairobi City
- Nairobi City County
- Nairobi Central Business District
- Nairobi metropolitan area
- Nairobi postal addresses
- The wider Nairobi commuter region
County code 047 applies specifically to Nairobi City County.
It does not automatically apply to every place marketed as being within metropolitan Nairobi. Some addresses associated with Nairobi may legally fall within Kiambu, Machakos or Kajiado counties.
This distinction affects:
- County government services
- Property records
- Business permits
- Local planning approvals
- Schools and public facilities
- Electoral constituencies
- Residential addresses
- Commuting and travel times
Use the Nairobi neighbourhoods and suburbs guide to understand the capital’s districts and residential areas. The Nairobi streets and roads guide provides further orientation around the city’s main roads, avenues and transport corridors.
Planning a visit using Nairobi’s geographic context
A county number alone does not reveal how close a location is to Nairobi’s city centre or major attractions. Travellers should also check the neighbourhood, road corridor and likely traffic conditions.
Useful NairobiKenya.org resources include:
- Nairobi city guide — an introduction to Kenya’s capital.
- Complete Nairobi travel guide — practical trip-planning information.
- Nairobi tourism and travel — attractions, activities and visitor logistics.
- Nairobi neighbourhoods and suburbs — understand where different parts of the city are located.
- Nairobi streets and roads — navigate major roads and city corridors.
- Where to stay in Nairobi — compare accommodation locations.
- Living in Nairobi — practical information for residents and people relocating.
- History of Nairobi — learn how Nairobi developed into Kenya’s capital.
- Nairobi city tours — explore the capital with a guide.
Summary of Kenya county numbers
Kenya has 47 counties, identified by numbers 1–47 or official three-digit codes 001–047.
The essential facts are:
- Mombasa is county number 1 or 001.
- Kiambu is county number 22 or 022.
- Baringo is county number 30 or 030.
- Narok is county number 33 or 033.
- Kajiado is county number 34 or 034.
- Kisumu is county number 42 or 042.
- Nairobi is county number 47 or 047.
County numbers are administrative identifiers. They are not rankings and should not be confused with postal codes, telephone codes, constituency codes, vehicle registrations or airport codes.
For readers interested specifically in Kenya’s capital, the most important answer is straightforward:
Nairobi is Kenya’s 47th county and carries official county code 047.