Kenya's Richest Counties by Contribution to GDP

Kenya's economic landscape is diverse, with significant variation in the contribution of each of the 47 counties to the nation's GDP. According to the most recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals how regional economies perform and highlights the dominant players in Kenya's economic scene.

Nairobi, unsurprisingly, leads the pack, but other counties like Nakuru, Kiambu, and Mombasa also make major contributions. On the other end, some counties still struggle to make a significant dent in the national economic output. Understanding these disparities provides valuable insights into the economic strengths and challenges facing different regions of Kenya.

Kenya's Richest Counties by Contribution to GDP

1. Nairobi - KSh 3,813.4 billion

2. Nakuru - KSh 785.8 billion

3. Kiambu - KSh 760.8 billion

4. Mombasa - KSh 665.6 billion

5. Meru - KSh 484.0 billion

6. Machakos - KSh 445.8 billion

7. Uasin Gishu - KSh 349.3 billion

8. Kisumu - KSh 343.3 billion

9. Kilifi - KSh 296.4 billion

10. Kakamega - KSh 291.8 billion

11. Bungoma - KSh 268.7 billion

12. Kisii - KSh 268.4 billion

13. Murang’a - KSh 266.9 billion

14. Nyeri - KSh 265.1 billion

15. Narok - KSh 238.4 billion

16. Trans Nzoia - KSh 231.6 billion

17. Kericho - KSh 230.3 billion

18. Kajiado - KSh 221.5 billion

19. Nandi - KSh 218.7 billion

20. Bomet - KSh 211.9 billion

21. Nyandarua - KSh 210.9 billion

22. Embu - KSh 195.0 billion

23. Homa Bay - KSh 184.6 billion

24. Kitui - KSh 179.8 billion

25. Kirinyaga - KSh 175.5 billion

26. Kwale - KSh 165.5 billion

27. Migori - KSh 161.8 billion

28. Turkana - KSh 156.5 billion

29. Makueni - KSh 151.5 billion

30. Nyamira - KSh 151.2 billion

31. Siaya - KSh 144.6 billion

32. Elgeyo Marakwet - KSh 140.3 billion

33. Laikipia - KSh 128.3 billion

34. Busia - KSh 124.0 billion

35. Vihiga - KSh 109.3 billion

36. Baringo - KSh 106.9 billion

37. West Pokot - KSh 104.6 billion

38. Taita Taveta - KSh 89.0 billion

39. Tharaka Nithi - KSh 88.1 billion

40. Marsabit - KSh 85.9 billion

41. Garissa - KSh 75.9 billion

42. Mandera - KSh 69.9 billion

43. Wajir - KSh 69.3 billion

44. Lamu - KSh 50.9 billion

45. Tana River - KSh 43.4 billion

46. Samburu - KSh 39.4 billion

47. Isiolo - KSh 37.8 billion

Key Takeaways

• Nairobi County remains firmly at the top, contributing over KSh 3.8 trillion—accounting for 27.5% of Kenya’s GDP.
• Nakuru, Kiambu, and Mombasa follow distantly but remain vital contributors to the national economy.
• Several agriculture-based counties such as Meru, Uasin Gishu, and Kericho continue to post solid performances, showing the value of diversified economies.
• At the bottom of the list, Isiolo, Samburu, and Tana River contribute the least, underscoring the urgent need for targeted investment and infrastructure development in these areas.

Why It Matters

Understanding each county’s economic weight is essential for:

• Policy planning and budget allocation at national and county levels
• Private sector investment decisions
• Tracking regional disparities and identifying growth opportunities

With devolution now well over a decade old, the GCP report helps Kenyans evaluate how well counties are transforming their local economies.

Conclusion

The 2023 Gross County Product (GCP) data paints a clear picture of Kenya’s economic landscape, with Nairobi continuing to lead the country in GDP contribution by a significant margin. While Nairobi remains the dominant economic hub, counties like Nakuru, Kiambu, and Mombasa also make substantial contributions, showcasing the regional diversity in Kenya’s economy.

However, the disparities in economic output across counties are evident, with counties like Isiolo, Samburu, and Tana River contributing the least. This highlights the need for targeted development strategies to bridge these gaps and foster balanced regional growth.

As Kenya moves forward, understanding the economic contributions of each county will be crucial for policymakers, investors, and businesses to make informed decisions and prioritize investments that will drive sustainable economic growth across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which county is the richest in Kenya?

Nairobi County is the richest in Kenya, with a nominal GDP of approximately KSh 3.8 trillion (about $27.4 billion USD), accounting for 27.5% of Kenya's GDP.

2. What are the top 5 richest counties in Kenya by GDP?

The top 5 richest counties in Kenya by nominal GDP in 2023 are:

• Nairobi – KSh 3,813.4 billion
• Nakuru – KSh 785.8 billion
• Kiambu – KSh 760.8 billion
• Mombasa – KSh 665.6 billion
• Meru – KSh 484.0 billion

3. Which county has the highest GDP per capita in Kenya?

Nairobi County leads with the highest GDP per capita in Kenya, standing at $6,324 USD.

4. Which counties have the lowest GDP per capita in Kenya?

The counties with the lowest GDP per capita are:

• Mandera – $579 USD
• Wajir – $631 USD
• Garissa – $649 USD
• Isiolo – $945 USD
• Samburu – $901 USD

5. Which counties have the highest GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP)?

The counties with the highest GDP based on PPP are:

• Nairobi – $88.0 billion USD
• Mombasa – $15.4 billion USD
• Machakos – $10.3 billion USD
• Kiambu – $17.6 billion USD
• Nakuru – $18.2 billion USD

6. Which county has the highest economic growth rate in Kenya?

Nyandarua County recorded the highest economic growth rate in Kenya at 10.6% as of 2022, largely driven by agriculture and infrastructure development.

7. Which counties have the highest GDP per capita in Kenya?

Counties with the highest GDP per capita in Kenya include:

• Nairobi – $6,324 USD
• Mombasa – $4,018 USD
• Nyeri – $2,487 USD
• Embu – $2,353 USD
• Nyandarua – $2,393 USD