The best and worst places to live in Kenya

The Narok-Bomet road. 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. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH

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