Nyeri County is among the five counties in the central region of Kenya. It covers an area of approximately 3,325 square kilometres, and its county code is 019. It is bordered by Nyandarua, Muranga, Kirinyaga, Meru, and Laikipia counties. Like other counties in Kenya, it is divided into multiple sub-counties. So, how many Nyeri sub-counties are there, and how many wards do each have?
After the 2010 referendum, Kenya abolished the provincial administration system of government and embraced devolution. This gave birth to 47 counties, including Nyeri County, which is divided into wards. Nyeri sub-counties are eight, while its constituencies are six. The region is known for agriculture and business. Its population is estimated to be 759,164.
What is Nyeri County known for?
Nyeri is best recognised as one of the food baskets in central Kenya. It thrives in agricultural activities, with many residents engaging in tea, coffee, and dairy farming. It is also a manufacturing hub with several industries based in the county.
Nyeri holds great significance in Kenya’s history. It is the home of the late Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi and General Stanley Mathenge, who were at the frontline in fighting for Kenya’s independence from the British. Other prominent personalities from the region are Kenya's third President, H.E. Mwai Kibaki and Nobel Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai.
Constituencies in Nyeri County
There are six Nyeri County constituencies and wards are 30. Each constituency is represented by a member of parliament in the National Assembly of Kenya. The Nyeri county wards are represented by 30 MCAs in the county assembly. The six Nyeri County constitutes are:
- Tetu
- Kieni
- Mathira
- Othaya
- Mukurweini
- Nyeri Town
Nyeri sub-counties and wards
How many sub-counties are in Nyeri? Nyeri comprises eight sub-counties, which are divided into 30 wards. Here is a list of Nyeri sub-counties and wards.
1. Kieni East
Kieni East sub-county covers an area of approximately 448.7 square kilometres. According to the 2019 census report, it has a population of about 110,376 residents. It is divided into four wards.
- Gakawa
- Narumoru/ Kiamathaga
- Kabaru
- Thegu
2. Kieni West
Kieni West sub-county sits on an area of approximately 517.8 square kilometres. It is the third least populated sub-county with 88,525 residents. It comprises four wards.
- Mugunda
- Gatarakwa
- Endarasha/Mwiyogo
- Mweiga
3. Mathira East
Mathira East is the third most populous sub-county, with a population of about 99,065. Its area of land is estimated to be about 130.4 square kilometres. The sub-county is made of four wards.
- Iriani
- Karatina
- Konyu
- Magutu
4. Mathira West
Mathira West is the least populated among the eight sub-counties in Nyeri, with a population of 59,895. Its area of land is 162.3 square kilometres. The sub-county also has the fewest number of wards.
- Kirimukuyu
- Ruguru
5. Nyeri Central
Nyeri Central is the most populated sub-county in Nyeri County. It is where the county's headquarters is and is generally cosmopolitan since many tribes reside there. Its population is 140,338 and covers an area of approximately 167.6 square kilometres. There are five Nyeri Central wards.
- Kiganjo/Mathari
- Rware
- Gatitu/Muruguru
- Ruringu
- Kamakwa/Mukaro
6. Mukurweini
Mukurweini is the fourth-largest sub-county in Nyeri, covering 179.1 square kilometres. It comes fifth, with a population estimate of 89,137 residents. The sub-county is made up of four wards.
- Mukurwe-ini Central
- Mukurwe-ini West
- Rugi
- Gikondi
7. Tetu
Tetu is the third-largest sub-county in Nyeri, with an area of 216.5 square kilometres. In terms of the area of population, it has 80,453 residents, making it the seventh most populous in the county. It comprises three wards.
- Dedan Kimathi
- Wamagana
- Aguthi-Gaaki
8. Othaya
Othaya is the fourth-most populated sub-county in Nyeri, with a population of 91,081. Its area of land is 169.2 square kilometres. The number of wards in the sub-county is four.
- Chinga
- Iria-ini
- Karima
- Mahiga
Wrapping up
Nyeri is the second-highest populated county among the five counties in central Kenya. It is 3,325 square kilometres with a population of about 759,164. Nyeri sub-counties are eight with forty wards. It also has six constituencies represented by members of parliament.
How many counties are there in the Mount Kenya region? Tuko.co.ke recently published an informative article listing all the counties and constituencies in the Mount Kenya region.
The Mount Kenya region is made up of former Eastern and Central provinces. Therefore, the counties and constituencies in the Mount Kenya region were in the former provinces. Do you know how many they are?
