14 Counties Where Women Have Overtaken Men in Employment

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, released the Gross County Product (GCP) 2024 report, a five-year analysis of the economic size of all 47 counties for the duration 2019-2023.

KNBS, in compilation of the report, provided an overview of key socio-economic indicators that contextualise the GCP data, highlighting the unique characteristics and challenges of each county. Key among the indicators was population, which directly affects the economic output of each region.

In this article, Money254.co.ke explores the gender employment trends across all counties, revealing how economic activity and gender participation vary across counties. These insights are vital in understanding the diverse socio-economic landscapes and identifying opportunities for inclusive growth.

Working Population‍

KNBS noted that these dynamics are crucial for tailoring policies that promote equitable economic development and gender balance in employment opportunities across the country.

As of 2022, Kenya recorded an employment rate of 38.1 per cent, translating to a working population of about 20 million individuals. Nationally, there are more men in employment —10,483,645 - compared to 9,515,741 females. 

While men led in the national count of the working population, there were 14 counties where women were the majority - demonstrating a great stride in gender diversity in economic inclusion. 

Here are the 14 Counties where women dominate the working population:

Read Also: Kenya's Richest Counties By Contribution to GDP

1. Meru County‍

Meru County is among the counties with the largest GCPs in Kenya, and contributes a significant Ksh484 billion - which translates to 3.4% of the national GDP. 

It boasts a working population of 771,570 individuals, 355,215 being male and 416,355 females.

According to KNBS, 34.1 per cent of Meru’s 1,625,982 population live below the poverty line.

2. Kakamega County‍

Kakamega has a population of 2,002,435, 38.2 per cent of them live below the poverty line.

The Western Kenya county has one of the largest workforces in the country at 727,720 individuals. Females dominate the county’s employment sector with 370,464 compared to the 357,256 males.

Kakamega contributes Ksh291.8 billion to the national GDP, representing a 2.2 per cent national share.

3. Kisii County‍

Kisii County is among the counties in Kenya with more women in employment (325,006) than men (272,076) and a total workforce of 597,082.

With a total population of 1,344,907 individuals, 32.9 per cent live below the poverty line.

Kisii County boasts a diverse portfolio that contributed Ksh268.5 billion to the national GDP, representing a 2% GVA.

4. Migori County‍

The South Nyanza county has a population of 1,234,082, out of which 45.7% live below the poverty line.

Migori has a total working population of 484,898, dominated by females at 248,366 and males at 236,532.

The county contributed Ksh161.6 billion to the national GDP, translating to a 1.2% GVA.

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5. Makueni County‍

With a total working population of 477,878 (250,885 females and 226,992 males)—Makueni contributed Ksh151.1 billion to the national GDP, representing a 1.1% GVA.

44.7 per cent of Makueni’s total 1,042,300 population live below the poverty line.

6. Nyeri County‍

Nyeri has a total population of 835,408, 26% of whom are below the overall poverty incidence.

The Mount Kenya west county has a workforce of 456,293—240,104 females and 216,189 males. Nyeri generated Ksh265.2 billion towards the national GDP in 2023, translating to a GVA of 2%.

7. Homa Bay County‍

Homa Bay has a working population of 456,014 individuals, a majority of them female (238,397). The male workforce stands at 217,617.

The county recorded a GVA of 1.3 per cent, contributing Ksh184.5 billion towards Kenya’s GDP.

Homa Bay boasts a population of 1,231,659, with only 28.2 per cent living below the poverty line.

8. Siaya County‍

Siaya has a total population of 1,059,458  and a workforce of 412,228 individuals. Women are the majority in employment at 217,996, followed by men at 194,232.

The northern Nyanza county contributed Ksh144.3 billion towards the national GDP in 2023, representing a 1.1% GVA.

9. Busia County‍

The Western Kenya county has a working population of 396,706 individuals—205,694 females and 191,012 males.

Busia generated Ksh123.8 billion towards Kenya’s GDP in 2023, translating to a 0.9 per cent GVA.

The county boasts a total population of 968,763, 52.7% of whom live below the poverty line.

Read Also: The Average Nairobian Earns Ksh66k, Compared to Ksh6K in Mandera - New Report

10. Kirinyaga County‍

In Kirinyaga, there are more women in employment (193,400) than men (165,133). The county contributed Ksh175.3 billion towards the national GDP, representing a 1.3% GVA.

It has a total population of 653,112, 23.1% of whom live below the overall poverty incidence.

11. Nyandarua County‍

Knows for its role in the country’s agricultural landscape, Nyandarua boasts a total workforce of 343,754 Kenyans, 177,726 of them being females and 166,028 males.

Nyandarua generated Ksh210.7 billion towards Kenya’s GDP in 2023, representing a 1.5 per cent GVA.

34.5 per cent of the county’s population (695,531) lives below the poverty line.

12. Nyamira County‍

Nyamira, dominantly an agricultural-producing county, has a total of 259,664 Kenyans in employment (138,988 females and 120,676 males).

With a total population of 657,502, 38.8% of whom are below the overall poverty incidence, generated Ksh151 billion towards the national GDP (1.1% GVA).

13. Laikipia County‍

A key player in Kenya’s agricultural and tourism sectors, Laikipia contributed Ksh128.1 billion towards the country’s GDP, representing a 0.9% GVA.

Laikipia has a total population of 561,223 with 38% living below the poverty line. The county has a total workforce of 248,307 individuals, 131,443 females and 116,864 males.

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14. Elgeyo Marakwet County‍

The county has a working population of 197,842 individuals, 102,320 females, and 95,522 males. 53 per cent of the county’s total population (495,239) lives below the overall poverty incidence.

Elgeyo Marakwet contributed Ksh140 billion towards the national GDP, representing a 1.1 per cent GVA.