The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Kenya is the undiluted nature’s boast of large landscapes, savannas and wildlife, luscious culture, beautiful cities in Kenya, and optimistic people. Kenyans are warm and friendly, showcasing their uniqueness and optimistic approach toward life.
One of the most beautiful things you will hear in Kenya is its diverse languages. The Swahili language is widely spoken all around Kenya. This beautiful language will give you an edge and allow you to create meaningful conversations with the native.
Another beautiful thing about Kenya, apart from the vast landscapes, wildlife, people, and languages, is the cities. The cities in Kenya open up, showing you rapid development mixed with the original preservation of culture. In this article, I will give you a deep look into the popular cities in Kenya. While this article will not cover all the towns and cities that are in this big country, it will definitely introduce you to the prominent ones.
Knowing these other cities will allow you to explore other parts of Kenya apart from Nairobi, the capital and principal city of the country. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Kenya: Country, Size, Capital, And Counties
Kenya is a country located in East Africa with 580,367 square kilometers of landscape housing the best natural wonders in the whole of Africa. The country is made up of over 47 million people and is home to 40% of big mammals and wildlife in the whole of Africa. Not only is the landscape breathtaking, with thick, green forests, waterfalls, and mountains, but it also is home to rich cultures.
Instead of States, Kenya is divided into provinces, and the provinces are further divided into districts or counties. Therefore, unlike having States, you have counties.
Kenya has eight provinces namely Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western, and Nairobi.
These eight provinces are then further divided into 46 counties.
Counties In Kenya
- Mombasa
- Kwale
- Kilifi
- Tana River
- Lamu
- Taita Mak Taveta
- Garissa
- Wajir
- Mandera
- Marsabit
- Isiolo
- Meru
- Tharaka-Nithi
- Embu
- Kitui
- Machakos
- Makueni
- Nyandarua
- Nyeri
- Kirinyaga
- Murang’a
- Kiambu The
- Turkana
- West Pokot
- Samburu
- Trans-Nzoia
- Uasin Gishu
- Elgeyo-Marakwet
- Nandi
- Baringo
- Laikipia
- Nakuru
- Narok
- Kajiado
- Kericho
- Bomet
- Kakamega
- Vihiga
- Bungoma
- Busia
- Siaya
- Kisumu
- Homa Bay
- Migori
- Kisii
- Nyamira
- Nairobi
Cities In Kenya
Now, let’s explore the biggest cities in Kenya and what to expect if you travel to any of these cities.
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya which also happens to be the largest city in the country. The city was named after the popular Nairobi river that flows throughout the city. As Kenya’s capital city, it has a population of over three million inhabitants and serves as the administrative city of Kenya. It spans across 696 kilometers of land and houses the headquarters of big companies like Google, Cocacola, airtel, and many more.
When it comes to tourist attractions, Nairobi city has the Nairobi national park, the national museum, and the largest international airport in the whole of Kenya, the Jomo Kenyatta airport and Wilson airport.
Apart from the tourist attractions, you also get to witness the bustling life of the natives. Their local food, drinks, and culture. Nairobi remains one of the best cities to explore on your visit to Kenya.
Mombasa
Being the former capital city of Kenya, it is no surprise that Mombasa remains one of the largest cities in Kenya and an administrative hub for various organizations. It has 1.5 million people making her home and serving as a booming business place for anyone who’s interested in hustling. One thing that makes Mombasa a great place to visit is the beaches. You will have the experience of one of the finest beaches in Kenya. Some of the recommended beaches you can visit are Diani and Watamu beaches amongst others. Also, Mombasa houses an international airport and a lot of tourist centers. It is also home to the largest seaport in Africa; the Kilindini Harbor.
Kisumu
Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya and it is one of the best places to visit. Located in western Kenya, it is home to millions of people. It carefully displays the modernism, culture, and happy nature of the people. One of the tourist attractions you will find in Kisumu is the Kisumu museum which holds a lot of historical stories. You also get to see Lake Victoria and a crater lake called the Simbi Nyaima and the Ndere island national park
Nakuru
Another major city in Kenya is Nakuru which houses the Lake Nakuru National Park, Menengai crater, and Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site. One thing about Nakuru is its agricultural inclination.
Wrapping Up
We’ve covered the major cities in Kenya that you can visit on your next trip. However, Kenya is made up of much more cities and towns that hold their own uniqueness. So, don’t feel limited to these four cities.
If you’ve been wondering how to communicate with the natives, then it is high time to learn the Swahili language. The Swahili language is the official language of Kenya, and it is spoken by millions of people. Therefore, you have nothing to lose if you commit to learning this language. Fortunately, the Ling App is ready to move you from a complete beginner to a fluent speaker in no time.
Learn Swahili With Ling
Do you know there is a comprehensive app that comes with every feature you need to become a fluent speaker of Swahili? Yup! The Ling App. This app has necessary features like intuitive grammar lessons covering the basics and the advanced, quizzes and exercises, flashcards, chatbot, audio recordings, daily reminders, and so much more. All you need to do is to dedicate 15 to 20 minutes of your time daily.
So, what are you waiting for? Download the Ling App today on Play Store and App Store!
