KNBS Reveals Country’s Richest, Poorest Counties

A survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) held in 2021 has indicated the richest and poorest counties of Kenya.

Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru are Kenya’s richest counties while Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River and Samburu are the poorest.

In the study, KNBS noted that five counties contribute 47 percent of the national annual economic output which is otherwise known as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

With a contribution of 27.5 overall GDP, Nairobi was ranked Kenya’s richest county followed by Kiambu with a 5.9 percent share of the GDP.

Others in the top five list of Kenya’s wealthiest counties are Mombasa with 5.2 percent, Nakuru (4.9 percent) and Machakos (3.5 percent).

The country’s poorest counties; Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River and Lamu contribute 0.3 percent each to Kenya’s national output.

Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit are also among the bottom five list each contributing 0.5 percent to Kenya’s national output.

Elsewhere Meru contributed 3.2 percent, Kisumu (2.6 percent), Uasin-Gishu (2.4 percent), Kilifi (2.2 percent), Kajiado (2.2 percent), Kakamega (2.2 percent), Nyeri (2.1 percent), Bungoma (2.1 percent) Muranga (2 percent) and Kisii (2 percent) of the GDP.

KNBS describes GDP as the net value of goods and services produced within the boundaries of a specific county. It is the equivalent of the county GDP.