Nakuru County, located in the former Rift Valley Province of Kenya, is an agriculturally rich region with a diverse population and a thriving industrial sector. The county is subdivided into eleven sub-counties and 55 electoral wards. All Nakuru sub-counties have their unique characteristics and challenges. Nevertheless, they are a microcosm of Kenya's diverse culture and potential.
Nakuru sub-counties serve as administrative units responsible for implementing various government and county government programmes and services at the local level. The sub-counties are crucial in ensuring the efficient delivery of healthcare, education, and other public services to the residents.
They contribute to coordinating development projects, resource allocation, and governance at the grassroots level. Thus, the sub-counties address the unique needs of the residents and foster local development.
Nakuru sub-counties with their wards
Nakuru County has a population of 2,162,202 people. Because of this large population, offering services from one central unit is challenging. Thus, the county is divided into eleven sub-counties and 55 wards to make allocating resources to the locals easier.
How many sub-counties are there in Nakuru? Here is the list of sub-counties and wards, including the population in the sub-counties and the number of voters in the wards:
1. Naivasha - 355,383
Naivasha is a town in Nakuru County, Kenya, and it is also a sub-county and a constituency within Nakuru County. It is the most populated sub-county among Nakuru sub-counties, with a population of 355,383. Naivasha sub-county has eight wards, namely:
- Viwandani - 28,900
- Hells Gate - 27,303
- Mai Mahiu - 21,934
- Lake View - 21,194
- Maiella - 15,666
- Naivasha East - 15,448
- Olkaria - 14,768
- Biashara - 11,915
The Naivasha sub-county is known for its main industry in agriculture, especially floriculture, and is a popular tourist destination.
2. Njoro - 238,773
Njoro is a sub-county in Nakuru County, Kenya, with approximately 238,773 people. It covers an area of 713 square kilometres and is known for its unique agricultural town status and manufacturing potential, particularly in agro-based industries, timber milling, canning, and quarrying. Njoro sub-county has six wards, namely:
- Njoro - 37,896
- Mau Narok - 22,346
- Mauche - 17,605
- Lare - 15,498
- Kihingo - 10,237
- Nessuit - 9,692
Njoro is also a cosmopolitan area that has continued to attract immigration from outlying counties.
3. Rongai - 199,906
Rongai is a constituency in Nakuru County, Kenya, and a sub-county. Its population is 199,906, with five administrative units or wards corresponding to its political units. The wards are:
- Visoi - 20,555
- Mosop - 19,670
- Menengai West - 19,389
- Soin - 14,523
- Solai - 10,488
Rongai is also recognised for its various demographic and socio-economic characteristics and political significance within the region.
4. Nakuru Town West - 198,661
Nakuru Town West is a constituency in Nakuru County, Kenya. It is one of the eleven sub-counties and constituencies in Nakuru County that elect a member of the Kenya National Assembly.
The constituency is divided into six wards. They include:
- Kaptembwo - 37,748
- London - 22,421
- Shaabab - 20,561
- Rhoda - 14,108
- Kapkures - 10,590
- Barut - 6,699
Nakuru Town West has been the focus of various development projects, especially because of its large population of 198,661.
4. Nakuru Town East - 193,926
Nakuru Town East is a constituency in Kenya and one of the eleven sub-counties in Nakuru County. It was created in 2010 after Nakuru Town Constituency was split into Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West. The wards in Nakuru County are:
- Biashara - 33,057
- Nakuru East - 32,572
- Menengai - 23,804
- Flamingo - 21,919
- Kivumbini - 14,199
Nakuru Town East has a population of 193,926 people.
5. Gilgil - 185,209
Gilgil is a sub-county in Nakuru County, Kenya, with a population of 185,209 people. The sub-county has an area of 1,075.4 square kilometres. Gilgil is also a constituency in Nakuru County. It has five wards, namely:
- Gilgil - 29,198
- Mbaruk/Eburu - 21,710
- Elementaita - 15,370
- Malewa West - 15,009
- Murindati - 14,367
The Gilgil sub-county is largely rural, with mixed farming as the main economic activity.
6. Molo - 156,732
Molo is a sub-county in Nakuru County, Kenya and one of the 11 constituencies in Nakuru County. The sub-county has a population of 156,732. Also, Molo has four wards, namely:
- Molo - 27,770
- Elburgon - 24,416
- Turi - 15,172
- Mariashoni - 9,669
Molo sub-county is known for its agricultural activities, particularly as Kenya's second largest producer of potatoes.
7. Kuresoi North - 175,074
Kuresoi North is a sub-county in Nakuru County, Kenya. It is an electoral constituency established in 2010 from the larger Kuresoi Constituency. The sub-county has four wards, namely:
- Nyota - 23,206
- Kiptororo - 17,603
- Kamara - 17,026
- Sirikwa - 12,828
Kuresoi North sub-county is known for its diverse population. It has 175,074 inhabitants who come from various communities in Kenya.
8. Bahati - 162,985
Bahati is a sub-county and a constituency in Nakuru County, Kenya. It has five wards, namely:
- Kiamaina - 28,983
- Bahati - 20,414
- Lanet/Umoja - 19,251
- Dundori - 15,238
- Kabatini - 13,154
Bahati sub-county has a population of 162,985 people. The sub-county is also largely rural, with mixed farming being the main economic activity.
9. Kuresoi South - 155,324
Kuresoi South is a constituency in Nakuru County, Kenya, with a population of 155,324. The sub-county has four wards, namely:
- Keringet - 20,736
- Tinet - 17,096
- Kiptagich - 15,226
- Amalo - 13,110
Kuresoi South has been the focus of population, health, and environmental impact assessments, particularly in child health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
10. Subukia - 85,164
Subukia is a sub-county in Nakuru County, Kenya. It is the smallest sub-county in Nakuru County by population. The sub-county has 85,164 inhabitants. These people live in three wards, namely:
- Kabazi - 20,531
- Subukia - 19,402
- Waseges - 15,666
Subukia sub-county is known for its agricultural productivity, including large-scale tea, pyrethrum, and potato plantations.
How many divisions are there in Nakuru County?
Before the promulgation of the Kenyan constitution, Nakuru had 11 divisions. The divisions were Subukia, Rongai, Bahati, Kuresoi North, Molo, Nakuru Town West, Nakuru Town East, Njoro, Kuresoi South, Gilgil, and Naivasha. These divisions later became the administrative sub-counties of Nakuru County.
Which county is Salgaa in?
Salgaa is a town located in Nakuru County, Kenya. The town is known for its thriving industrial sector and bustling commercial activities, driven by long-distance truck drivers who usually make stop-overs in the area.
What communities are in Nakuru County?
Nakuru County is a cosmopolitan county. All the major tribes of Kenya live in Nakuru County. However, the dominant communities are the Kikuyu and the Kalenjin.
Is Nakuru North a sub-county?
The 2019 Kenyan census considered Nakuru North a sub-county. It has a population of 218,050. However, the IEBC register of the 2022 General Elections does not include Nakuru North as a sub-county or constituency.
Wrapping up
Nakuru County is subdivided into eleven sub-counties and 55 electoral wards. The list of Nakuru Sub-Counties includes Naivasha, Njoro, Rongai, Nakuru Town West, Nakuru Town East, Gilgil, Molo, Kuresoi North, Bahati, Kuresoi South, and Subukia. The county has a population of 2,162,202, with Naivasha being the most populated sub-county with 355,383 people.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about extra county schools in Makueni. Makueni County has some of the best-performing extra-county schools in the county. The schools have produced some of the best candidates who joined different universities.
Some of these extra-county schools are compared to national schools in the country. Many of these schools in Makueni County include Makueni Girls High School, Precious Blood Secondary School Kilungu and others.