The best and worst places to live in Kenya
What you need to know:
- NOTE: Figures based on a 2013 study (Kenya Economic Report) by the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra) | HIV prevalence rates based on provincial averages | Life expectancy is one of the indicative measures for the Human Development Index, alongside education and standards of living.
Maybe the crisp fresh air of the highlands is tinged with the elixir of life.
Maybe the icy waters of the fast flowing Kerio River really are the fountain of youth, hiding their special life-giving quality behind sharp bends and ragged boulders.
Or maybe from the rich loamy soil grows food for the soul and the spirit, providing nourishment that goes beyond just the physical.
Whatever the reason, you are more likely to live to a ripe old age if you were born and bred in Elgeyo-Marakwet or Bomet County.
While the rest of Kenya enjoys a respectable life expectancy of an average of 57.1 years, the folks in these two counties in the Rift Valley are thumbing their noses at the national average, living a good nine years more. Here, the best... and the worst:
1. BOMET COUNTY (66 years)
Population: 724,186
Health facilities required: 89 dispensaries, 30 health centres, 9 level-4 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 7 doctors, 172 nurses
HIV Prevalence:
Rift valley: 4.7 %
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 5
Poverty headcount: 46%
Formal employment: 18%
Informal employment: 82%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3%
2. ELGEYO MARAKWET COUNTY (66 years)
Population: 369, 998
Health facilities required: 37 dispensaries, 12 hHealth entres, 4 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 6 doctors, 152 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.7 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 5
Poverty headcount: 55%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 6%
3. LAIKIPIA COUNTY (65 years)
Population: 399,227
Health facilities required: 40 dispensaries, 13 health centres, 4 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 19 doctors, 276 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 24
Poverty headcount: 47%
Informal employment: 72%
Formal employment: 28%
4. EMBU COUNTY (64.5 years)
Population: 516,212
Health facilities required: 52 dispensaries, 17 health centres, 5 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 40 doctors, 487 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 14
Poverty headcount: 41%
Informal employment: 81%
Formal employment: 19%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 4%
5. NYERI COUNTY (64 years)
Population: 693,558
Health facilities required: 69 dispensaries, 23 health centres, 7 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 139 octors, 1,060 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.6 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 15
Poverty headcount: 31%
Informal employment: 78%
Formal employment: 22%
Un-employment rate for 15-64 year olds: 4%
6. BARINGO COUNTY (64 years)
Population: 555,561
Health facilities required: 56 dispensaries, 19 health centres, 6 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 2 doctors, 135 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 3
Poverty headcount: 59%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 9%
7. NYANDARUA COUNTY (64 years)
Population: 596,268
Health facilities required: 60 dispensaries, 20 health centres, 6 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 27 doctors, 534 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.6%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 10
Poverty headcount: 49%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Un-employment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3%
8. KAJIADO COUNTY (63.5 years)
Population: 687,312
Health facilities required: 69 dispensaries, 23 health centres, 7 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 9 doctors, 89 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.7 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 19
Poverty headcount: 12%
Informal employment: 64%
Formal employment: 36%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 9%
9. MURANG’A COUNTY (63 years)
Population: 942,581
Health facilities required: 89 dispensaries, 30 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 55 doctors, 586 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.6%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 13
Poverty headcount: 30%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Un-employment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3.5%
10. NYAMIRA COUNTY (63 years)
Population: 598,252
Health facilities required: 49 dispensaries 49, 16 health centres, 5 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 6 doctors, 239 nurses
HIV prevalence: 13.9 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 11
Poverty headcount: 50%
Informal employment: 87%
Formal employment: 13%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 2%
11. MARSABIT (62.5)
Population: 291,166
Health facilities required: 29 dispensaries, 10 health centres, 3 level-4 hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 1 doctor, 148 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%
Number of retroviral therapy facilities: 11
Poverty headcount: 80%
Formal employment: 10%
Informal employment: 90%
Rate of unemployment for 15-64 year olds: 8%
12. KIRINYAGA COUNTY (62.5)
Population: 528,054
On the job: 17 doctors, 480 nurses
Health facilities required: 53 dispensaries, 18 health centres, 5 level-4 hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
HIV prevalence: 4.6%
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 15
Poverty headcount: 25%
Formal employment: 16%
Informal employment: 84%
Rate of unemployment for 15-64 year olds: 3%
13. MERU COUNTY (62.5 years)
Population: 1,356,301
Health facilities required: 136 dispensaries, 45 health centres, 14 level-4 hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 36 doctors, 843 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%
Number of antiretroviral therapy facilities: 13
Poverty headcount: 28%
Formal employment: 16%
Informal employment: 84%
Rate of unemployment for 15-64 year olds: 4.5%
14. WAJIR COUNTY (62 years)
Population: 661,941
Health facilities required: 66 ispensaries, 22 health centres, 7 level-4 hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 5 doctors, 159 nurses
HIV prevalence: 0.9%
Number of antiretroviral therapy facilities: 4
Poverty headcount: 85%
Formal employment: 8%
Informal employment: 92%
Rate of unemployment for 15-64 year olds 27%
15. NAROK COUNTY (61.5)
Population: 850,920
On the job: 21 doctors, 272 nurses
Health facilities required: 85 dispensaries, 28 health centres, 9 level-4 hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
HIV prevalence: 4.7%
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 40
Poverty headcount: 34%
Formal employment: 12%
Informal employment: 88%
Rate of unemployment for 15-64 year olds: 4.0%
16. MANDERA COUNTY (61 years)
Population: 1,025,756
Health facilities required: 103 dispensaries, 34 health centres, 10 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 4 doctors, 73 nurses
HIV prevalence: 0.9%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 4
Poverty headcount: 87%
Informal employment: 92%
Formal employment: 8%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 20%
17. SAMBURU COUNTY (61 years)
Population: 223,947
Health facilities required: 22 dispensaries, 7 health centres, 2 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 9 doctors, 216 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.7 %,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 6
Poverty headcount: 78%
Informal employment: 90%
Formal employment: 10%
Un-employment rate for 15-64 year olds: 11.5%
18. UASIN GISHU (61 years)
Population: 894,179
Health facilities required: 89 dispensaries, 30 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 224 doctors, 1,267 nurses
HIV Prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 9
Poverty headcount: 44%
Informal employment: 68%
Formal employment: 32%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 11%
19. NANDI COUNTY (60.5 years)
Population: 752,965
Health facilities required: 75 dispensaries, 25 health centres, 8 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 8 doctors, 240 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 6
Poverty headcount: 47%
Informal employment: 78%
Formal employment: 22%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 4%
20. TRANS NZOIA (60.5 years)
Population: 818,757
Health facilities required: 82 dispensaries, 27 health centres, 8 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 3 doctors, 134 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 7
Poverty headcount: 49%
Informal employment: 76%
Formal employment: 24%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 8%
21. KERICHO COUNTY (60 years)
Population: 758,339
Health facilities required: 59 dispensaries, 20 health centres, 6 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 51 doctors, 416 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 13
Poverty headcount: 41%
Informal employment: 74%
Formal employment: 26%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 4%
22. BUNGOMA COUNTY (59.8 years)
Population: 1,630,934
Health facilities required: 138 dispensaries 138, 30 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 36 doctors, 492 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.6%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 13
Poverty headcount: 30%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3.5%
23. GARISSA COUNTY (59.8 years)
Population: 623,060
Health facilities required: 62 dispensaries, 21 health centres, 6 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 12 doctors, 269 nurses
HIV prevalence: 0.9%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 7
Poverty headcount: 55%
Informal employment: 90%
Formal employment: 10%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 37.5%
24. MACHAKOS COUNTY (59.5 years)
Population: 1,098,584
Health facilities required: 110 dispensaries, 37 health centres, 11 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 41 doctors, 651 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 19
Poverty headcount: 56%
Informal employment: 72%
Formal employment: 28%
25. KITUI COUNTY (59.5 years)
Population: 1,012,709
Health facilities required: 101 dispensaries, 34 health centres, 10 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 39 doctors, 572 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 22
Poverty headcount: 62%
Informal employment: 82%
Formal employment: 18%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 8%
26. THARAKA NITHI COUNTY (59 years)
Population: 365,330
Health facilities required: 37 dispensaries, 12 health centres, 4 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 17 doctors, 206 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 10
Poverty headcount: 49%
Informal employment: 84%
Formal employment: 16%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3%
27. WEST POKOT (58.5 years)
Population: 512,690
Health facilities required: 51 dispensaries, 17 health centres, 5 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 7 doctors, 259 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 2
Poverty headcount: 68%
Informal employment: 90%
Formal employment: 10%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 8%
28. TAITA TAVETA (58 years)
Population: 284,657
Health facilities required: 28 dispensaries, 9 health centres, 3 district hospitals, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 4 doctors, 109 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.2%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 1
Poverty headcount: 55%
Informal employment: 78%
Formal employment: 22%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 6%
29. ISIOLO COUNTY (57.5 years)
Population: 143,284
Health facilities required: 14 dispensaries, 5 health centres, 1 district hospital, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: 1 doctor, 46 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 2
Poverty headcount: 63%
Informal employment: 80%
Formal employment: 20%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 10.5%
30. MAKUENI COUNTY (57.4 years)
Population: 884,527
Health facilities required: 88 dispensaries, 29 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 24 doctors, 449 nurses
HIV prevalence: 3.5%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 28
Poverty headcount: 64%
Informal employment: 76%
Formal employment: 24%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 7%
31. NAIROBI COUNTY (57.3 years)
Population: 3,138,369
Health facilities required: 314 dispensaries, 105 health centres, 31 district hospitals, 3 provincial hospitals
On the job: 136 doctors, 1,122 nurses
HIV prevalence: 7.0%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 115
Poverty headcount: 21%
Informal employment: 48%
Formal employment: 52%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 12%
32. TURKANA COUNTY (57.2 years)
Population: 855,399
Health facilities required: 86 dispensaries, 29 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 3 doctors, 58 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.7%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 20
Poverty headcount: 93%
Informal employment: 93%
Formal employment: 7%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 14%
33. KIAMBU COUNTY (56.9 years)
Health facilities required: 88 dispensaries, 29 health centres, 9 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 108 doctors, 1,107 nurses
HIV prevalence: 4.6%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 34
Poverty headcount: 26%
Informal employment: 62%
Formal employment: 38%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 8%
34. LAMU COUNTY (56.8 years)
Population: 101,539
Health facilities required: 10 dispensaries, 3 health centres, 1 district hospital, 0 provincial hospital
On the job: Doctors N/A, nurses N/A
HIV prevalence: 4.2%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 4
Poverty headcount: 32%
Informal employment: 83%
Formal employment: 17%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 5.5%
35. KISII COUNTY (56.8 years)
Population: 1,511,422
Health facilities required: 126 dispensaries, 42 health centres, 13 district hospitals, 1 provincial hospital
On the job: 4 doctors, 265 nurses
HIV prevalence: 13.9%,
Antiretroviral therapy facilities: 15
Poverty headcount: 56%
Informal employment: 86%
Formal employment: 14%
Unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds: 3.5%
LOWEST LIFE EXPECTANCY COUNTIES
36. VIHIGA COUNTY (56 years)
Population: 554, 622
37. NAKURU COUNTY (56 years)
Population: 1, 603, 325
38. KAKAMEGA COUNTY (55 years)
Population: 1, 660, 651
39. KILIFI COUNTY (54.5 years)
Population: 1, 109, 735
40. TANA RIVER COUNTY (54 years)
Population: 240, 075
41. MOMBASA COUNTY (54 years)
Population: 939, 370
42. KWALE COUNTY (54 years)
Population: 649, 931
43. BUSIA COUNTY (47 years)
Population: 488, 075
44. MIGORI COUNTY (46 years)
Population: 563, 033
45. SIAYA COUNTY (41 years)
Population: 842, 304
46. KISUMU COUNTY (41 years)
Population: 968, 909
47. HOMA BAY COUNTY (40YRS)
Population: 958, 791