Kenya's Richest Counties By Contribution to GDP

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has released the Gross Counties Product (GCP) 2024, giving insight into the economic size of all 47 counties for the duration 2019-2023. GCP is the disaggregation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by county.

The report updates on the economic structure of each county, the contribution of various sectors, and the evolution of these contributions over time, enabling the assessment of disparities among counties. These estimates are utilised in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies by both levels of government. 

City counties registered the highest contribution to the national GDP. Nairobi, which is also the national capital, led with a whopping Ksh3.81 trillion GCP. This means Nairobi county accounts for 36% of Kenya’s GDP. 

Nakuru, another city county comes a distant second at Ksh785.8 billion, followed by Mombasa which is third with Ksh665.6 billion. 

The other city counties, Uasin Gishu and Kisumu come behind at positions seven and eight, respectively. 

Here is a list of the top 10 Richest Counties by GCP: 

1. Nairobi: Ksh3.81 Trillion

2. Nakuru County: Ksh785.8 Billion

3. Kiambu County: Ksh760.8 Billion

4. Mombasa County: Ksh665.6 Billion

5. Meru County: Ksh484 Billion

6. Machakos County: Ksh445.8 Billion

7. Uasin Gishu County: Ksh349.3 Billion

8. Kisumu County: Ksh343.3 Billion

9. Kilifi County: Ksh296.4 Billion

10. Kakamega County: Ksh291.8 Billion

GCP is crucial in assessing each county’s revenue potential, attracting investment in sectors where they have a competitive advantage, and monitoring economic progress over time.

The report offers a monetary measure of the net market value of all final goods and services produced within each of the 47 counties for the five-year period in review. 

Usage of GCP transcends the national and county governments. The estimates are of enormous value to the general public, the private sector, researchers, and the media, among others.

To the stakeholders, GCP is a vital tool in policy analysis, monitoring county economic performance, gauging economic development, measuring labour productivity, understanding economic structures, tracking changes in disparities, and observing the economic evolution of counties.

List of All Counties by GCP

11. Bungoma County: Ksh268.7 Billion

12. Kisii County: Ksh268.5 Billion

13. Murang’a County:  Ksh267.1 Billion

14. Nyeri County: Ksh265.2 Billion

15. Narok County: Ksh238.3 Billion

16. Trans Nzoia County: Ksh231.7 Billion

17. Kericho County: Ksh230.6 Billion

18. Kajiado County: Ksh221.6 Billion

19. Nandi County: Ksh218.8 Billion

20. Bomet County: Ksh211.8 Billion

21. Nyandarua County: Ksh210.7 Billion

22. Embu County: Ksh194.8 Billion

23. Homa Bay County: Ksh184.5 Billion

24. Kitui County: Ksh179.5 Billion

25. Kirinyaga County: Ksh175.3 Billion

26. Kwale County: Ksh165.3 Billion

27. Migori County: Ksh161.6 Billion

28. Turkana County: Ksh156.2 Billion

29. Makueni County: Ksh151.1 Billion

30. Nyamira County: ksh150.9 Billion

31. Siaya County: Ksh144.3 Billion

32. Elgeyo Marakwet County: Ksh140 Billion

33. Laikipia County: Ksh128.1 Billion

34. Busia County: Ksh123.8 Billion

35. Vihiga County: Ksh109.1 Billion

36. Baringo County: Ksh106.8 Billion

37. West Pokot County: Ksh104.5 Billion

38. Taita Taveta County: Ksh88.9 Billion

39. Tharaka Nithi County: Ksh87.9 Billion

40. Marsabit County: Ksh85.8 Billion

41. Garissa County: Ksh75.8 Billion

42. Mandera County: Ksh69.8 Billion

43. Wajir County: Ksh69.1 Billion

44. Lamu County: Ksh50.9 Billion

45. Tana River County: Ksh43.3 Billion

46. Samburu County: Ksh39.4 Billion

47. Isiolo County: Ksh37.6 Billion