List of all sub counties in Nairobi county and their wards 2024
Explore the unique sub-counties and wards of Nairobi, Kenya, and discover the diverse neighborhoods that make up this vibrant city.
Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is a thriving metropolis that has seen exponential growth demographically and economically over the years. A city born out of British colonialists' need for a railway depot in 1899, Nairobi has grown into a buzzing city boasting a population of 4,397,073 as of the 2019 census. This captivating city, also known as the "Green City in the Sun," has a fascinating structure that comprises 17 sub-counties and 85 wards. This article will take a comprehensive journey through these sub-counties and their wards, unpacking the uniqueness and offerings of each.
Overview of Nairobi's Sub-Counties and Wards
Nairobi's 17 sub-counties and 85 electoral wards came into existence following the new constitution promulgated in 2010. Sub-counties, also called constituencies, are represented by Members of Parliament (MPs), while the wards are represented by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). Despite being one of the most minor counties in Kenya, Nairobi's dense population is attributed to the numerous social amenities available. The following is a breakdown of these sub-counties and their wards:
Ruaraka Sub-County
Ruaraka, birthed in 2013 from the larger Kasarani constituency, is home to approximately 192,620 people. The sub-county is represented by Hon. Tom Kajwang, who retained his seat in the recent 2022 elections. The wards in Ruaraka are:
- Utalii Ward
- Korogocho Ward
- Lucky Summer Ward
- Mathare North Ward
- Baba Dogo Ward
Roysambu Sub-County
This sub-county, formed from the larger Kasarani Constituency with Ruaraka and Mathare constituencies, is led by Hon. Augustine Kamande. The wards here are:
- Kahawa Ward
- Roysambu Ward
- Githurai Ward
- Kahawa West Ward
- Zimmerman Ward
Kasarani Sub-County
Originally a larger Kasarani, it was split to form other sub-counties and spans an area of 152.60km squared. The wards that form this sub-county are:
- Kamulu Ward
- Njiru Ward
- Clay City Ward
- Mwiki Ward
- Ruai Ward
Langata Sub-County
Hon. Phelix Odiwuor Jalang'o, popularly known as Jalang'o, leads the Langata sub-county, covering about 196.8km squared. The wards in this sub-county include:
- Nyayo Highrise Ward
- Nairobi West Ward
- South C Ward
- Karen Ward
Embakasi Central Sub-County
With an area of 14.3km squared and approximately 185,948 residents, Embakasi Central is represented by Hon. Benjamin Gathiru. This sub-county comprises five wards:
- Kayole North Ward
- Kayole Central Ward
- Chokaa Ward
- Komarocks Ward
- Matopeni Ward
Dagoretti South Sub-County
Formerly known as the Dagoretti constituency, this sub-county is led by Hon. John Kiarie. The wards in Dagoretti South are:
- Uthiru Ward
- Waithaka Ward
- Riruta Ward
- Ngando Ward
- Muti-in Ward
Dagoretti North Sub-County
Led by Hon. Beatrice Elachi, Dagoretti North was split from the Westlands and Dagoretti constituencies in 2013. The wards here include:
- Kawangware Ward
- Kilimani Ward
- Gatina Ward
- Kileleshwa Ward
- Kabiro Ward
Westlands Sub-County
Covering an area of 72.4km squared, Westlands is represented by Hon. Tim Wanyonyi and is home to some of the city's high-end suburbs. The wards in Westlands include:
- Karura Ward
- Parklands Ward
- Kitisuru Ward
- Kangemi Ward
- Mountain View Ward
Embakasi South Sub-County
Covering an area of 12km squared and led by Hon. Julius Mwathe, Embakasi South comprises the following wards:
- Kwa Njenga Ward
- Imara Daima Ward
- Kware Ward
- Kwa Reuben Ward
- Pipeline Ward
Embakasi North, Kibra, Embakasi West, Makadara, Kamukunji, Starehe, Mathare, and Embakasi East are the remaining sub-counties. Each sub-counties boasts unique characteristics, history, and development projects that define them.
Quick Summary Of All Sub-counties in Nairobi County
| Sub-County | Member of Parliament | Area (km²) | Population | Wards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruaraka | Hon. Tom Kajwang | - | 192,620 | Utalii ward, Korogocho ward, Lucky Summer ward, Mathare North ward, Baba Dogo ward |
| Roysambu | Hon. Augustine Kamande | - | - | Kahawa ward, Roysambu ward, Githurai ward, Kahawa West ward, Zimmerman ward |
| Kasarani | - | 152.60 | - | Kamulu ward, Njiru ward, Clay City ward, Mwiki ward, Ruai ward |
| Langata | Hon. Phelix Odiwuor Jalang'o | 196.8 | - | Nyayo Highrise ward, Nairobi West ward, South C ward, Karen ward |
| Embakasi Central | Hon. Benjamin Gathiru | 14.3 | 185,948 | Kayole North ward, Kayole Central ward, Chokaa ward, Komarocks ward, Matopeni ward |
| Dagoretti South | Hon. John Kiarie | - | - | Uthiru ward, Waithaka ward, Riruta ward, Ngando ward, Muti-ini ward |
| Dagoretti North | Hon. Beatrice Elachi | - | - | Kawangware ward, Kilimani ward, Gatina ward, Kileleshwa ward, Kabiro ward |
| Westlands | Hon. Tim Wanyonyi | 72.4 | - | Karura ward, Parklands ward, Kitisuru ward, Kangemi ward, Mountain View ward |
| Embakasi South | Hon. Julius Mwathe | 12 | - | Kwa Njenga ward, Imara Daima ward, Kware ward, Kwa Reuben ward, Pipeline ward |
| Embakasi North | Hon. James Mwangi Gakuya | 208 | 181,388 | Dandora Area 1 ward, Dandora Area 2 ward, Dandora Area 3 ward, Dandora Area 4 ward, Kariobangi North ward |
| Kibra | - | 12.1 | - | Woodley ward, Sarang'ombe ward, Makina ward, Lindi ward, Laini Saba ward |
| Embakasi West | Hon. Mureithi Mwenje | 9.35 | - | Umoja 1 ward, Umoja 2 ward, Mowlem ward, Kariobangi South ward |
| Makadara | Hon. Joe Aladwa | 13 | - | Maringo ward, Viwandani ward, Harambee ward, Hamza ward, Makongeni ward |
| Kamukunji | Hon. Yusuf Hassan | 12 | - | Eastleigh North ward, Eastleigh South ward, Pumwani ward, Airbase ward, California ward |
| Starehe | Hon. Amos Mwago | - | - | Nairobi South ward, Nairobi Central ward, Ngara ward, Pangani ward, Landimawe ward, Ziwani ward |
| Mathare | - | 3 | - | Mlango Kubwa ward, Kiamaiko ward, Ngei ward, Huruma ward, Mabatini ward |
| Embakasi East | Hon. Paul Babu Owino | - | - | Utawala ward, Upper Savanna ward, Lower Savanna ward, Embakasi ward, Mihang'o ward |
READ ALSO: Top 10 Affordable Gyms in Nairobi and Prices
Conclusion
Despite its size, Nairobi County remains a significant hub in Kenya, showcasing diversity, culture, economic growth, and social development. Each sub-county and ward play a critical role in the city's overall function, providing not just administrative and political delineation but also a diverse cultural, social, and economic landscape that contributes to the overall identity of the city.
References
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: https://www.knbs.or.ke/
- Nairobi City County: https://www.nairobi.go.ke/
- World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kenya/overview
