The Kenya Natinal Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has released the population census 2019 results and as usual the figures have been politicised. Some political leaders have disputed the results because the figures are less than they expected, or the number of the residents in their regions have reduced. In Ikolomani for example, the number reduced. Other leaders are happy because their figures have increased.
Overall population
| Total population | Female | Male | Intersex |
| 47,564,300
|
24,014,000 | 23,548,000 | 1,524 |
Nairobi has the highest number of intersex at 245 followed by Kiambu at 135 while Tana River had the least at 6.
Although there are 460,000 more females than males in Kenya, 14 counties mostly from pastoral communities recorded the opposite .
Counties with more males than females
| County | Number of more males than females |
| Garissa | 76,000 |
| Wajir | 49,000 |
| Turkana | 21,219 |
| Marsabit | 27,329 |
| Mombasa | 12,000 |
| Isiolo | 11,027 |
| Lamu | 10,290 |
| Taita Taveta | 6,010 |
| Baringo | 5,894 |
| Samburu | 3,223 |
| Tana River | 1,159 |
| Laikipia | 338 |
| Elgeyo Marakwet | 166 |
| Narok | 237 |
There are 23,548,000 households with 3.9 people per household. Mandera has the largest number of people per household at 6.9 while Nairobi has the smallest at 2.9.
The country’s sex ratio is 98.1 (this refers to the number of males per 100 females).
Population by regions
| Rift Valley | 12.75 m
|
| Eastern | 6.36m |
| Nyanza | 6.27m |
| Central Kenya | 5.48m |
| Nairobi | 4.4m |
| Coast | 4.33m |
| North Eastern | 2.95m |
| Western | 5m |
Population by counties
| Highest | Lowest | ||
| County | Population | County | Population |
| Nairobi | 4,397,073 | Marsabit | 459,785 |
| Mombasa | 1,208,333 | Tana River | 315,943 |
| Vihiga | 590,013 | Isiolo | 268,002 |
| Kisii | 1,266,860 | Wajir | 781,263 |
| Kiambu | 2,417,735 | Turkana | 926,976 |
Nairobi is the most congested county with 6,247 per square kilometer while Marsabit is the least populated county with six people per square kilometer.
Isiolo nearly doubled its population and leads in the counties with the most population growth.
Mandera county is the only administrative unit that registered a decrease in population while Nyamira County recorded the smallest increase in the last 10 years. Read the full report here https://www.knbs.or.ke/
Comments by political leaders
“Census data is shocking since we have recorded a tremendous increase in the number of births in the last 10 years compared to deaths. We will study the report and share our feedback with the census team” Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama’.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi protested the results saying the figure of 1.5m was incorrect. He said it should be correct or else the county will sue KNBS.
Nandi Senator Samson Cheragei encouraged Nandi residents to shelve family planning in order to increase their numbers.
Laikipia counties Simon Mwangi said most people from the area work in neighboring communities and might have been counted there.
Former MP for Ikolomani wrote on his tweet, “Mr President. Sir, the population of Ikolomani is reportedly now 111,743 down from the 143,153 in 2009. There was no epidemic in Ikoomani! This fake census results are meant to deny some regions & communities the national shareable revenue. Stop it!”
Tharaka Nithi Mp Gitonga Murugara and Governor Muthomi Njuki have dismissed the figures and promised to petition KNBS for a repeat of the exercise.
KNBS director Zachary Mwangi has however dismissed the complains by the leaders and advised them to follow proper channels to present their grievances.
Sources of the comments: Daily Nation and Twitter
What journalists should do for better reporting
- Read the whole report to understand the results and simplify it to your audience.
- Find out the population of your region, whether the residents agree with the figures or not and why?
- Find out what the figures mean to the residents of your area.
By Carolyne Oyugi
