Before the enactment of the 2010 Constitution, Kenya’s administrative framework consisted of eight provinces: Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley, and Western. Each province had a provincial commissioner (PC), appointed directly by the president. This appointment consolidated significant power at the national level. As a result, the PC oversaw provincial administration and ensured effective implementation of government policies.

Districts

Within each province, districts served as the primary administrative units. Initially, Kenya had 46 districts, excluding Nairobi. Each district had a District Commissioner (DC) who played a crucial role. The DC managed local governance, law enforcement, and the coordination of government services at the district level. Furthermore, the administrative divisions extended further. Each district is subdivided into divisions, managed by Division Officers (DO). This structure continued downward, breaking divisions into 2,427 locations and then into 6,612 sub-locations. This extensive framework showed the need for localised governance and hence the need for a new constitution

The 2010 Constitution

The constitution promulgated in the year 2010 allowed for better administrative oversight and public service delivery, tailored to Kenya’s diverse population. The 2010 Constitution initiated a restructuring process. This aimed to enhance decentralisation and promote local governance. It is hoped to put the people closer to decision making.

List of Provinces

1. Central
2. Coast
3. Eastern
4. Nairobi
5. North Eastern
6. Nyanza
7. Rift Valley
8. Western

Table of 47 Districts

 

	Coast
1	Mombasa	Coast	212.5	939,370	Mombasa (City)
2	Kwale	Coast	8,270.3	649,931	Kwale
3	Kilifi	Coast	12,245.9	1,109,735	Kilifi
4	Tana River	Coast	35,375.8	240,075	Hola
5	Lamu	Coast	6,497.7	101,539	Lamu
6	Taita-Taveta	Coast	17,083.9	284,657	Voi
	North Eastern
7	Garissa	North Eastern	45,720.2	623,060	Garissa
8	Wajir	North Eastern	55,840.6	661,941	Wajir
9	Mandera	North Eastern	25,797.7	1,025,756	Mandera
	Eastern
10	Marsabit	Eastern	66,923.1	291,166	Marsabit
11	Isiolo	Eastern	25,336.1	143,294	Isiolo
12	Meru	Eastern	5,127.1	1,356,301	Meru
13	Tharaka-Nithi	Eastern	2,409.5	365,330	Chuka
14	Embu	Eastern	2,555.9	516,212	Embu
15	Kitui	Eastern	24,385.1	1,012,709	Kitui
16	Machakos	Eastern	5,952.9	1,098,584	Machakos
17	Makueni	Eastern	8,008.9	884,527	Wote
	Central
18	Nyandarua	Central	3,107.7	596,268	Ol Kalou
19	Nyeri	Central	2,361.0	693,558	Nyeri
20	Kirinyaga	Central	1,205.4	528,054	Kerugoya / Kutus
21	Murang’a	Central	2,325.8	942,581	Murang’a
22	Kiambu	Central	2,449.2	1,623,282	Kiambu
23	Turkana	Rift Valley	71,597.8	855,399	Lodwar
	Rift Valley
24	West Pokot	Rift Valley	8,418.2	512,690	Kapenguria
25	Samburu	Rift Valley	20,182.5	223,947	Maralal
26	Trans Nzoia	Rift Valley	2,469.9	818,757	Kitale
27	Uasin Gishu	Rift Valley	2,955.3	894,179	Eldoret
28	Elgeyo-Marakwet	Rift Valley	3,049.7	369,998	Iten
29	Nandi	Rift Valley	2,884.5	752,965	Kapsabet
30	Baringo	Rift Valley	11,075.3	555,561	Kabarnet
31	Laikipia	Rift Valley	8,696.1	399,227	Rumuruti
32	Nakuru	Rift Valley	7,509.5	1,603,325	Nakuru
33	Narok	Rift Valley	17,921.2	850,920	Narok
34	Kajiado	Rift Valley	21,292.7	687,312	Kajiado
35	Kericho	Rift Valley	2,454.5	752,396	Kericho
36	Bomet	Rift Valley	1,997.9	730,129	Bomet
	Western
37	Kakamega	Western	3,033.8	1,660,651	Kakamega
38	Vihiga	Western	531.3	554,622	Vihiga
39	Bungoma	Western	2,206.9	1,375,063	Bungoma
40	Busia	Western	1,628.4	743,946	Busia
41	Siaya	Nyanza	2,496.1	842,304	Siaya
	Nyanza
42	Kisumu	Nyanza	2,009.5	968,909	Kisumu
43	Homa Bay	Nyanza	3,154.7	963,794	Homa Bay
44	Migori	Nyanza	2,586.4	917,170	Migori
45	Kisii	Nyanza	1,317.9	1,152,282	Kisii
46	Nyamira	Nyanza	912.5	598,252	Nyamira
47	Nairobi	Nairobi	694.9	3,138,369	Nairobi (City)