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{{Politics of Kenya}}Not to be confused with the defunct [[Local authorities of Kenya|county councils of Kenya]], the '''counties of Kenya''' are geographical units envisioned by the [[Constitution of Kenya|2010 Constitution of Kenya]] as the units of [[Devolution|devolved government]].<ref>Article 6, Devolution and access to Services, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya</ref> The powers are provided in Articles 191 and 192, and in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya and the County Governments Act of 2012. The counties are also single member constituencies for the election of members of parliament to the [[Senate of Kenya]]<ref>Article 98, (1) (a), Membership of the Senate, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya</ref> and special women members of parliament to the [[National Assembly of Kenya]]<ref>Article 97, (1) (b) Membership of the National Assembly, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya</ref> As of the 2013 general elections, there are 47 counties whose size and boundaries are based on the 47 legally recognised [[Districts of Kenya]]. Following the re-organisation of Kenya's National administration, Counties were integrated into a new national administration with The National Government posting County Commissioners to represent it at the Counties <ref>Kenyan County Commissioners Re-Organised Under New Structure, http://allafrica.com/stories/201307230067.html</ref>
== Establishment==
County governments were established in 47 Counties (based on the 1992 [[Districts of Kenya]]), after the [[Kenyan general election, 2013|scheduled general elections in March 2013]]. The Counties' names are set out in the First Schedule of the [[Constitution of Kenya]]
==List of counties==
[[File:Kenya counties map Labelled.jpg|thumb|right|Map of counties]]
Under the new constitution, Kenya is now divided into 47 counties for administrative purposes, grouped below according to the former [[Provinces of Kenya|province]] of which they were part, with their areas and 2009 Census populations:<ref>Kenya National Bureau of Statistics; and the final report of the [[Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission|IEBC]] as ratified in the National Assembly Constituencies and County Assembly Wards Order, 2012.</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Code || County || Former Province || Area (km<sup>2</sup>) || Population<br>Census 2009 || Capital
|-
| 1 || [[Mombasa County|Mombasa]] || [[Coast Province|Coast]] ||align="right"|212.5||align="right"|939,370|| [[Mombasa]] (City)
|-
| 2 || [[Kwale County|Kwale]] || Coast ||align="right"|8,270.3||align="right"|649,931|| [[Kwale]]
|-
| 3 || [[Kilifi County|Kilifi]] || Coast ||align="right"|12,245.9||align="right"|1,109,735|| [[Kilifi]]
|-
| 4 || [[Tana River County|Tana River]] || Coast ||align="right"|35,375.8||align="right"|240,075|| [[Hola, Kenya|Hola]]
|-
| 5 || [[Lamu County|Lamu]] || Coast||align="right"|6,497.7||align="right"|101,539|| [[Lamu]]
|-
| 6 || [[Taita-Taveta County|Taita-Taveta]] || Coast ||align="right"|17,083.9||align="right"|284,657|| [[Voi]]
|-
| 7 || [[Garissa County|Garissa]] || [[North Eastern Province (Kenya)|North Eastern]] ||align="right"|45,720.2||align="right"|623,060|| [[Garissa]]
|-
| 8 || [[Wajir County|Wajir]] || North Eastern ||align="right"|55,840.6||align="right"|661,941|| [[Wajir]]
|-
| 9 || [[Mandera County|Mandera]] || North Eastern ||align="right"|25,797.7||align="right"|1,025,756|| [[Mandera]]
|-
| 10 || [[Marsabit County|Marsabit]] || [[Eastern Province (Kenya)|Eastern]] ||align="right"|66,923.1||align="right"|291,166|| [[Marsabit]]
|-
| 11 || [[Isiolo County|Isiolo]] || Eastern ||align="right"|25,336.1||align="right"|143,294|| [[Isiolo]]
|-
| 12 || [[Meru County|Meru]] || Eastern ||align="right"|6,930.1||align="right"|1,356,301|| [[Meru, Kenya|Meru]]
|-
| 13 || [[Tharaka-Nithi County|Tharaka-Nithi]] || Eastern ||align="right"|2,409.5||align="right"|365,330|| [[Chuka, Kenya|Chuka]]
|-
| 14 || [[Embu County|Embu]] || Eastern ||align="right"|2,555.9||align="right"|516,212|| [[Embu, Kenya|Embu]]
|-
| 15 || [[Kitui County|Kitui]] || Eastern ||align="right"|24,385.1||align="right"|1,012,709|| [[Kitui]]
|-
| 16 || [[Machakos County|Machakos]] || Eastern ||align="right"|5,952.9||align="right"|1,098,584|| [[Machakos]]
|-
| 17 || [[Makueni County|Makueni]] || Eastern ||align="right"|8,008.9||align="right"|884,527|| [[Wote]]
|-
| 18 || [[Nyandarua County|Nyandarua]] || [[Central Province (Kenya)|Central]] ||align="right"|3,107.7||align="right"|596,268|| [[Ol Kalou]]
|-
| 19 || [[Nyeri County|Nyeri]] || Central ||align="right"|2,361.0||align="right"|693,558|| [[Nyeri]]
|-
| 20 || [[Kirinyaga County|Kirinyaga]] || Central ||align="right"|1,205.4||align="right"|528,054|| [[Kerugoya]] / [[Kutus]]
|-
| 21 || [[Murang'a County|Murang'a]] || Central ||align="right"|2,325.8||align="right"|942,581|| [[Murang'a]]
|-
| 22 || [[Kiambu County|Kiambu]] || Central ||align="right"|2,449.2||align="right"|1,623,282|| [[Thika]]
|-
| 23 || [[Turkana County|Turkana]] || [[Rift Valley Province|Rift Valley]] ||align="right"|71,597.8||align="right"|855,399|| [[Lodwar]]
|-
| 24 || [[West Pokot County|West Pokot]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|8,418.2||align="right"|512,690|| [[Kapenguria]]
|-
| 25 || [[Samburu County|Samburu]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|20,182.5||align="right"|223,947|| [[Maralal]]
|-
| 26 || [[Trans Nzoia County|Trans Nzoia]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,469.9||align="right"|818,757|| [[Kitale]]
|-
| 27 || [[Uasin Gishu County|Uasin Gishu]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,955.3||align="right"|894,179|| [[Eldoret]]
|-
| 28 || [[Elgeyo-Marakwet County|Elgeyo-Marakwet]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|3,049.7||align="right"|369,998|| [[Iten]]
|-
| 29 || [[Nandi County|Nandi]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,884.5||align="right"|752,965|| [[Kapsabet]]
|-
| 30 || [[Baringo County|Baringo]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|11,075.3||align="right"|555,561|| [[Kabarnet]]
|-
| 31 || [[Laikipia County|Laikipia]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|8,696.1||align="right"|399,227|| [[Rumuruti]]
|-
| 32 || [[Nakuru County|Nakuru]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|7,509.5||align="right"|1,603,325|| [[Nakuru]]
|-
| 33 || [[Narok County|Narok]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|17,921.2||align="right"|850,920|| [[Narok]]
|-
| 34 || [[Kajiado County|Kajiado]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|21,292.7||align="right"|687,312|| [[Kajiado]]
|-
| 35 || [[Kericho County|Kericho]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|2,454.5||align="right"|752,396|| [[Kericho]]
|-
| 36 || [[Bomet County|Bomet]] || Rift Valley ||align="right"|1,997.9||align="right"|730,129|| [[Bomet]]
|-
| 37 || [[Kakamega County|Kakamega]] || [[Western Province (Kenya)|Western]] ||align="right"|3,033.8||align="right"|1,660,651|| [[Kakamega]]
|-
| 38 || [[Vihiga County|Vihiga]] || Western ||align="right"|531.3||align="right"|554,622|| [[Vihiga]]
|-
| 39 || [[Bungoma County|Bungoma]] || Western ||align="right"|2,206.9||align="right"|1,375,063|| [[Bungoma]]
|-
| 40 || [[Busia County|Busia]] || Western ||align="right"|1,628.4||align="right"|743,946|| [[Busia, Kenya|Busia]]
|-
| 41 || [[Siaya County|Siaya]] || [[Nyanza Province|Nyanza]] ||align="right"|2,496.1||align="right"|842,304|| [[Siaya]]
|-
| 42 || [[Kisumu County|Kisumu]] || Nyanza ||align="right"|2,009.5||align="right"|968,909|| [[Kisumu]]
|-
| 43 || [[Homa Bay County|Homa Bay]] || Nyanza ||align="right"|3,154.7||align="right"|963,794|| [[Homa Bay]]
|-
| 44 || [[Migori County|Migori]] || Nyanza ||align="right"|2,586.4||align="right"|917,170|| [[Migori]]
|-
| 45 || [[Kisii County|Kisii]] || Nyanza ||align="right"|1,317.9||align="right"|1,152,282|| [[Kisii, Kenya|Kisii]]
|-
| 46 || [[Nyamira County|Nyamira]] || Nyanza ||align="right"|912.5||align="right"|598,252|| [[Nyamira]]
|-
| 47 || [[Nairobi County|Nairobi]] || [[Nairobi Province|Nairobi]] ||align="right"|694.9||align="right"|3,138,369|| [[Nairobi]] (City)
|-
| || '''''Totals''''' || ||align="right"|581,309.0||align="right"|38,610,097|| [[Nairobi]]
|}
{{Counties of Kenya}} Placement of Counties with direct links to their articles
==County Governments==
County Governments are responsible for: county legislation outlined in article 185 of the Constitution of Kenya, executive functions outlined in article 183, functions outlined in the fourth schedule of the constitution of Kenya, functions transferred from the national government through article 187 of the constitution of Kenya, functions agreed upon with other counties under article 189 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, and establishment and staffing of a public service under article 235 of the Constitution of Kenya.<ref>County Governments Act, 2012</ref> The functions of government assigned to counties by the fourth schedule of the constitution of Kenya are <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klrc.go.ke/index.php/constitution-of-kenya/167-schedules-schedules/fourth-schedule-distribution-of-functions-between-national-and-the-county-governments/448-2-county-governments |title=2. County Governments|publisher=Kenya Law Reform Commission |date=29 August 2012}}</ref>
===Agriculture===
* Crop and animal husbandry
* Livestock sale yards
* County abattoirs
* Plant and animal disease control
* Fisheries.
===County health services===
* County health facilities and pharmacies
* Ambulance services
* Promotion of primary health care
* Licensing and control of undertakings that sell food to the public
* Veterinary services (excluding regulation of the profession)
* Cemeteries, funeral parlours and crematoria; and
* Refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste disposal
===Pollution, Nuisances and Advertising Control===
Control of air pollution, noise pollution, other public nuisances and outdoor advertising
===Cultural activities, public entertainment and public amenities===
* betting, casinos and other forms of gambling
* racing
* liquor licensing
* cinemas
* video shows and hiring
* libraries
* museums
* sports and cultural activities and facilities
* county parks, beaches and recreation facilities
===County transport===
* county roads
* street lighting
* traffic and parking
* public road transport
* ferries and harbours, excluding the regulation of international and national shipping and matters related thereto
===Animal control and welfare===
* licensing of dogs
* facilities for the accommodation, care and burial of animals
===Trade development and regulation===
* Markets
* Trade licences (excluding regulation of professions)
* Fair trading practices
* Local tourism
* Cooperative societies
===County planning and development===
* statistics
* land survey and mapping
* boundaries and fencing
* housing
* electricity and gas reticulation and energy regulation
===Education and Childcare===
Pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centres and childcare facilities
===Policy Implementation===
Implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation
* soil and water conservation; and
* forestry.
===County public works and services===
* storm water management systems in built-up areas; and
* water and sanitation services.
===Fire fighting services and disaster management===
===Control of drugs and pornography===
===Coordination===
Ensuring and co-ordinating the participation of communities and locations in governance at the local level and assisting communities and locations to develop the administrative capacity for the effective exercise of the functions and powers and participation in governance at the local level.
==County Executive Committee==
The county governor and the deputy county governor are the chief executive and deputy chief executive of the county, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klrc.go.ke/index.php/constitution-of-kenya/140-chapter-eleven-devolved-government/part-2-county-governments/348-179-county-executive-committees |title=179. County executive committees|publisher=Kenya Law Reform Commission |date=29 August 2012}}</ref>
The [[Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission]] shall not conduct a separate election for the deputy governor but shall declare the [[running mate]] of the person who is elected county governor to have been elected as the deputy governor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klrc.go.ke/index.php/constitution-of-kenya/140-chapter-eleven-devolved-government/part-2-county-governments/349-180-election-of-county-governor-and-deputy-county-governor |title=180. Election of county governor and deputy county governor|publisher=Kenya Law Reform Commission |date=29 August 2012}}</ref>
Each county will be run by an executive committee, consisting of
*A governor: elected directly by the people
*A deputy: elected as [[running mate]] of the successful candidate for governorship
*A number of committee members not exceeding a third (or ten where a county assembly has more than 30 members) of the members of the respective county assembly.
*A [[county secretary]], nominated by the governor and approved by the county assembly, who will double up as head of the county public service, and secretary to the county executive committee.<ref>Appointment of county secretary, Section 44, County Government Act 2012</ref>
As a speciality in the democratic system Kenyan law requires governors to have a recognised university degree, while it is not necessary to hold a degree to become e.g. [[List of Presidents of the United States by education|president of the United States]].<ref>{{cite news|title=SHITANDA, WANJIRU OUT OVER DEGREES|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-103314/shitanda-wanjiru-out-over-degrees|accessdate=20 January 2013|newspaper=The Standard|date=18 January 2013}}</ref>
==County Assemblies==
The counties will each have an assembly whose members are elected from single member constituencies known as wards. There may also be a number of nominated members as is necessary to ensure that neither male nor female members constitute more than two-thirds of the assembly.<ref>Article 177, (1) Membership of a County Assembly, The 2010 Constitution of Kenya.</ref> There will also be six nominated members to represent marginalised groups (persons with disabilities, and the youth) and a speaker who will be an [[ex officio]] member of the assembly.<ref>Article 177 (c), The 2010 Constitution of Kenya</ref><ref>County Government Act, 2012 http://www.cickenya.org/index.php/resource-center/downloads/downloads-acts/item/download/125_b3976ecbfa0de807d4713ff7d18c090e&q=County+Government+Act+2012&sa=X&ei=hPrmUOb7JO3xigKGqoDACg&ved=0CBkQFjAA</ref>
==County Governors==
All governors took office on 27 March 2013, unless otherwise noted.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! County No !! Name !!Governor!! Deputy Governor!!Party
|-
|1 || [[Mombasa County|Mombasa]] || [[Hassan Ali Joho]] || Hazel Ezabel Nyamoki Ogunde||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|2 || [[Kwale County|Kwale]] || [[Salim Mvurya]] || Fatuma Mohamed Achani||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|3 || [[Kilifi County|Kilifi]] || [[Amason Kingi]] || Kenneth Mwakombo Kamto||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|4 || [[Tana River County|Tana River]] || Tuneya Dado ||Jire Siyat Mohamed ||[[Wiper Democratic Movement|WDM-K]]
|-
|5 || [[Lamu County|Lamu]] || Issa Timamy || Erick Kinyua Mugo||[[United Democratic Forum (Kenya)|UDF]]
|-
|6 || [[Taita-Taveta County|Taita-Taveta]] || John Mtuta Mruttu || Mary Ndiga Kibuka||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|7 || [[Garissa County|Garissa]] || Nathif Jama Adan ||Abdullahi Hussein Ali ||[[Wiper Democratic Movement|WDM-K]]
|-
|8 || [[Wajir County|Wajir]] || Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamad ||Abdulhafid Abdullahi Yarow ||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|9 || [[Mandera County|Mandera]] || Ibrahim Roba Ali || Omar Mohamed Maalim||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|10 || [[Marsabit County|Marsabit]] || Ukur Yattani || Omar Abdi Ali||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|11 || [[Isiolo County|Isiolo]] || Godana Doyo || Mohamed Gulleid Abdille||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|12 || [[Meru County|Meru]] || [[Peter Munya]] || Raphael Muriungi||[[Alliance Party Of Kenya|APK]]
|-
|13 || [[Tharaka County|Tharaka]] || Samuel Mbae Ragwa || Eliud Mate Muriithi||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|14 || [[Embu County|Embu]] || Martin Nyagah Wambora || Dorothy Nditi Muchungu||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|15 || [[Kitui County|Kitui]] || Julius Malombe || Malonza Peninah||[[Wiper Democratic Movement|WDM-K]]
|-
|16 || [[Machakos County|Machakos]] || [[Alfred Mutua]] || Benard Muia Tom Kiala||[[Wiper Democratic Movement|WDM-K]]
|-
|17 || [[Makueni County|Makueni]] || [[Kivutha Kibwana]] ||Adelina Ndeto Mwau ||[[Muungano Development Movement Party of Kenya|MP]]
|-
|18 || [[Nyandarua County|Nyandarua]] || Daniel Waithaka Mwangi ||Waithaka Mwangi Kirika ||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|19 || [[Nyeri County|Nyeri]] || [[Nderitu Gachagua]] || Wamathai Samwel Githaiga||[[Grand National Union|GNU]]
|-
|20 || [[Kirinyaga County|Kirinyaga]] || Joseph Kathuri Ndathi ||Julius Muthike Njiri||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|21 || [[Muranga County|Muranga]] || Mwangi wa Iria || Augustine J Gakure Monyo||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|22 || [[Kiambu County|Kiambu]] || [[William Kabogo Gitau|William Kabogo]] ||Gerald Gakuha Githinji ||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|23 || [[Turkana County|Turkana]] || [[Josphat Nanok]] || Peter Ekai Lokoel||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|24 || [[West Pokot County|West Pokot]] || Simon Kachapin Kitalei ||Titus Lotee||[[Kenya African National Union|KANU]]
|-
|25 || [[Samburu County|Samburu]] || [[Moses Lenolkula Kasaine]] ||Joseph Lemarkat||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|26 || [[Trans-Nzoia County|Trans-Nzoia]] || Patrick Khaemba ||Stanley Kiptoo Kenei Tarus||[[Forum for the Restoration of Democracy - Kenya|FORD-KENYA]]
|-
|27 || [[Uasin Gishu County|Uasin Gishu]] || Jackson Kiplagat Mandago ||Daniel Kiplagat Kiprotich||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|28 || [[Elgeyo-Marakwet County|Elgeyo-Marakwet]] || Alex Tanui Tolgos ||Gabriel Lagat Kosgey||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|29 || [[Nandi County|Nandi]] || [[Lagat Cleophas]] || Dominic Kimutai Biwott||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|30 || [[Baringo County|Baringo]] || Benjamin Cheboi Chesire|| Mathew Kipyator Tuitoek||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|31 || [[Laikipia County|Laikipia]] || [[Joshua Irungu]] || Josphat Gitonga Kabugi||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|32 || [[Nakuru County|Nakuru]] || Kinuthia Mbugua || Joseph Kibore Rutto||[[The National Alliance (Kenya)|TNA]]
|-
|33 || [[Narok County|Narok]] || Samuel Kuntai Ole Tunai ||Aruasa Evalyn Chepkirui||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|34 || [[Kajiado County|Kajiado]] || David ole Nkedianye ||Paul Mpute Ntiati||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|35 || [[Kericho County|Kericho]] || Prof. Paul Chepkwony Kiprono||Susan Chepkoech Kikwai||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|36 || [[Bomet County|Bomet]] || [[Isaac Ruto]] ||Stephen Kipkoech Mutai ||[[United Republican Party (Kenya)|URP]]
|-
|37 || [[Kakamega County|Kakamega]] || [[Wycliffe Oparanya]] ||Philip Museve Kutima||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|38 || [[Vihiga County|Vihiga]] || [[Moses Akaranga]] ||Caleb Temba Amaswache||[[Progressive Party of Kenya|PPK]]
|-
|39 || [[Bungoma County|Bungoma]] || [[Ken Lusaka]] ||Hillary Moywo Chongwony||[[New Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya|NFK]]
|-
|40 || [[Busia County|Busia]] || [[Sospeter Ojaamong]] ||Kizito Osore Wangalwa||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|41 || [[Siaya County|Siaya]] || George Okode (acting), from 3 September 2013<ref>http://allafrica.com/stories/201309050961.html</ref> ||Wilson Ouma Onyango||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|42 || [[Kisumu County|Kisumu]] || Jack Ranguma || Ruth Adhiambo Odinga Busia||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|43 || [[Homa Bay County|Homabay]] || Cyprian Awiti ||Hamiliton Onyango Orata||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|44 || [[Migori County|Migori]] || John Obado || Nelson Mahanga Mwita||[[People's Democratic Party (Kenya)|PDP]]
|-
|45 || [[Kisii County|Kisii]] || James Ongwae || Arthur Maangi Gongera||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|46 || [[Nyamira County|Nyamira]] || John Nyagarama Obiero ||Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo ||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|-
|47 || [[Nairobi County|Nairobi]] || [[Evans Kidero]] || J. Mwangangi Mueke||[[Orange Democratic Movement|ODM]]
|}
==See also==
*[[Provinces of Kenya]]
*[[Kenyan general election, 2013]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://opendata.go.ke/facet/counties/Tharaka+Nithi/ OpenData Tharaka-Nithi]
{{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya}}
{{Articles on first-level administrative divisions of African countries}}
[[Category:Politics of Kenya]]
[[Category:Counties of Kenya| ]]
[[Category:Subdivisions of Kenya]]{{Usedwps}}