The Largest Cities in Kenya

Kenya is a country found in East Africa and renowned for rich wildlife and unique culture. It is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes including the great Rift-Valley, snow-capped Mount Kenya, and numerous other natural features. Evidence of the earliest human species remains has been found and excavated in Kenya, making it the cradle of mankind. Today, there are 43 communities living in various parts of the country with rich traditions and unique cultures. Kenya is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The country is a host to numerous cities and towns with rich traditions. These are the biggest cities in Kenya.

Nairobi

Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya and the administrative capital. The city’s economy comprises 60% of the country’s total GDP. It is home to world organizations such as UN-HABITAT and other United Nations Agencies. It is the largest and most developed city in the Eastern African region, making it an important hub across the region. It is an important tourist destination due to Nairobi National Park and Nairobi Museum. It is the only city in the world with a game park nearby. With a population of about 3.7 million people, it is the most populous city in Kenya. Nairobi continues to grow and expand to become an important pillar in the overall growth of Kenya.

Mombasa

Mombasa is a coastal city in Kenya. It is the second largest city after Nairobi with a population of 1 million people. It is one of the oldest cities in Kenya with important historical landmarks such as Fort Jesus. Today, the port of Mombasa is the biggest in East Africa and connects neighboring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The city is renowned for its beautiful sandy beaches, hotels and hospitality, exuberant nightlife and unique taste of music.

Kisumu

Located in the Western part of the country, Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya with a population of around 500,000 people. It is an inland port city next to Lake Victoria. It has experienced growth due to agriculture and trade with neighboring regions. In Kisumu, you can visit various places of interest such as Hippo point, Ndere Island National Park, and Kisumu Museum.

Nakuru

Nakuru is a prominent city in the former Rift-Valley province. It has a population of about 400,000 people from various parts of the country. It is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Kenya, with a sizeable number of Asians, Europeans, and Indians. It is home to Menengai Crater, the world’s second largest surviving volcano and Hyrax Hills, a famous pre-historic site. Also, Lake Nakuru is famous for its thousands of flamingos. Tourists from all over the world come to watch this spectacular natural phenomenon. It has a buzzing nightlife and multiple high-class restaurants.

Eldoret

Eldoret is an agricultural town found near the Cherang'any Hills. It is the fastest growing city in Kenya and has the fourth largest population. Eldoret has a cool climate suitable for agriculture and it is home to various processing factories such as cheese factories as well as other industries.

Other major towns in Kenya include, Thika, Nyeri, Kitale, Malindi and Kakamega.