• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

KenyaCradle

All About Kenya

  • Home
  • Contact Us

Tribes in Kenya 2020: List of Tribes in Kenya, The population of Tribes in Kenya

Article Updated on November 14, 2020 By Kim

Tribes in Kenya

Kenya is a land of great diversity in its people and cultures. There are three main language groups in Kenya from which the tribes can be divided, These are the Bantus, Nilotes and Cushites, it is from these three ethnic groups that we have the 42 tribes which make up the Kenyan population. Bantu is the largest division making up about 70% of Kenya’s population

There are three main language groups in which the tribes in Kenya can be divided into, they are the;
Bantu-speaking tribes:
Central Bantu: Kikuyu, Akamba, Meru, Embu, Tharaka, Mbere Western Bantu: Gussi, Kuria, Luhya Coastal Bantu: Mikikenda, Swahili, Pokomo, Segeju, Taveta, Taita

Nilotic-speaking tribes:
Plains Nilotic: Maasai, Samburu, Teso, Turkana, Elmolo, Njemps Highland Nilotic: Kalenjin, Marakwet, Tugen, Pokot, Elkony, Kipsigis Lake River Nilotic: Luo

Cushitic-speaking tribes:
Eastern Cushitic: Rendille, Somali, Boran, Gabbra, Orma Southern Cushitic: Boni

List of The 42 Tribes in Kenya

There are about 42 Tribes in Kenya with various languages and customs that all joined become the unparalleled mix of the Kenyan culture.

  1. Kikuyu people
  2. Kalenjin people
  3. Luo people
  4. Luhya people
  5. Kamba people
  6. Maasai people
  7. Mijikenda people
  8. Turkana people
  9. Nilotic people
  10. Samburu people
  11. Kipsigis people
  12. Kuria people
  13. Kisii people
  14. Rendille people
  15. Gabra people
  16. Indians in Kenya
  17. Borana Oromo people
  18. El Molo people
  19. Swahili people
  20. Meru people
  21. Pokomo people
  22. Mbeere people
  23. Taita people
  24. Teso people
  25. Pokot people
  26. Bajuni people
  27. Okiek/Ogiek people
  28. Embu people
  29. Ilchamus people
  30. Jibana people
  31. Chonyi people
  32. Orma people
  33. Giriama people
  34. Suba people
  35. Maragoli
  36. Sakuye people
  37. Isukha
  38. Bukusu
  39. Nandi people
  40. Elgeyo people

Kenyan Tribes Map

Tribes in Kenya Map

Kenya Ethnic Groups, photo map
Kenya Ethnic Groups, photo map

The population of Tribes in Kenya

The largest tribe in Kenya by population is Kikuyu who mainly resides in the central province. The second-largest tribe is the Luhyas who are compromised of several subgroups including the Abanyala and Abanyore. The Luhya inhabit the western province. The third-largest tribe in Kenya is Luo also from the western part of Kenya.

Kikuyu

The Kikuyu people are from the Bantu family and are the largest ethnic group in Kenya, the main economic activities of the Agikuyu are trade, agriculture and livestock keeping.

The Kikuyu make up about 20% of Kenya’s population.

Luhya

The Abaluyia people are from the Bantu family and they mainly inhabit the Western part of Kenya, Luhyas mainly practice farming and agriculture, sugarcane being their largest activity in fact most maximum of the sugar used in Kenya is produced in Mumias which is a Luhya land.

The Luhya people have a population of around 6.5 million.

Luo

The Luo people are from the Nilotic family and they mainly inhabit the Western part of Kenya, For Luos inhabiting the rural areas, freshwater fishing in Lake Victoria is the main economic activity with some of the fish being exported while the rest is consumed locally.

Loading...
Loading...

The Luo people in Kenya have a population of over 6.1 million.

Kalenjin

The Kalenjin people are from the Nilotic family and they are divided into the Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Sabaot, Pokots, Tugen, Terik, Lembus, and Ogiek who all speak the Kalenjin language, they mainly reside in what was formerly the Rift Valley province.

The Kalenjin people’s population is estimated at over 5.7 million.

Kamba

The Kamba or Akamba are a Bantu ethnic group/tribe that lives in the eastern and southeastern areas of Kenya. The Kamba are identified to be skilled craftsmen with a specialty in iron/metal, carvings, making drums, ornaments, as well as their expertise in medicinal herbs.

The population of the Kamba stands at around 4.1 million.

Mijikenda

Mijikenda’s are from the Bantu family and they mainly inhabit the coastal region of Kenya. The Mijikenda are mainly involved in agriculture, with one of the crops they plant being the coconut palm, whose products bear oil extracts and palm wine. Its fronds are also utilized for roofing and as material for making baskets, mats, brooms, and other weaved products.

Their population is around 1.9 million.

Maasai Tribe

The Maasai are from the Nilotic family and occupy some parts of the northern, central and southern Kenya. Their main economic activities include keeping Livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep.

Their population was just over 800,000 in the 2009 census.

Turkana Tribe

The Turkana are from the Nilotic family and mainly occupy the northwest parts of Kenya. Their economic activities are mainly in livestock. Cattle, camels, donkeys, sheep, and goats

Their population is about 800,000.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tribes of Kenya

How many tribes are there in Kenya?

42 tribes as of 2020. We have about 42 tribes in Kenya as of 2020 with different languages and cultures that all merge to become the unique mix of Kenyan culture.


Health Articles
1. Health Benefits of Apples
2. Health Benefits of Bananas
3. Health Benefits of Honey
4. Health Benefits of Ginger
5. Health Benefits of Garlic
6. Health Benefits of Lemon
7. Health Benefits of Pumpkin
8. Health Benefits of Watermelons
Health Articles
1. Diabetes
2. Diabetes Treatment
3. Cancer
4. Breast Cancer
5. Blood Pressure
6. Heart Attack
7. Kidney
8. Headaches

What are the main tribes in Kenya?

Top 5 Tribes In Kenya

  1. Kikuyu: The Kikuyu tribe is the most populous one, inhabiting Kenya’s Central region.
  2. Luhya: The Luhya tribe forms the second-largest tribe among the tribes in Kenya that form 14% of the Kenyan population.
  3. Kisii: The Kisii tribe lives in the highly fertile highlands in Nyanza in Western Kenya.
  4. Mijikenda: The Mijikenda tribe comprises of nine sub-tribes whose culture revolves around clans and age-sets.
  5. Maasai: The Maasai tribe is one of the most popular tribes in Kenya renowned for their closeness to their culture and history, which they have harmoniously integrated with the modern ways of life.

Which are the largest tribes in Kenya?

Top 8 Largest Tribes in Kenya

  1. Kikuyu tribe – 20% of Kenya’s population
  2. Luhya tribe – around 6.5 million
  3. Luo tribe – over 6.1 million
  4. Kalenjin tribe – over 5.7 million
  5. Kamba tribe – around 4.1 million
  6. Mijikenda tribe – around 1.9 million
  7. Maasai tribe – over 800,000
  8. Turkana tribe – about 800,000

Which tribe is the richest in Kenya?

The Kikuyu tribe is ranked the largest and the richest among the Kenyan tribes.


We endeavor to keep our content True, Accurate, Correct, Original and Up to Date.

If you believe that any information in this article is Incorrect, Incomplete, Plagiarised, violates your Copyright right or you want to propose an update, please send us an email to informationcradle@gmail.com indicating the proposed changes and the content URL. Provide as much information as you can and we promise to take corrective measures to the best of our abilities.



Loading...

Useful Information About Kenya

  • Kenya
  • Kenya Government
  • Governors in Kenya
  • Senators in Kenya
  • Women Rep.
  • Kenyan Mps
  • Counties in Kenya
  • Constituencies
  • Farming in Kenya
  • Tourism in Kenya
  • Tourist Attractions
  • Tribes in Kenya
  • Kenya Safari
  • Towns in Kenya
  • Kenya Directory
  • Insurance
  • Banks in Kenya
  • Cooperative Bank
  • Equity Bank
  • KCB Branches
  • Paybill Numbers
  • Universities in Kenya
  • Colleges in Kenya
  • National Schools
  • KCPE Results
  • KCSE Results
  • Kenyatta University
  • Jkuat Courses
  • Moi University
  • Nairobi University
  • MKU Courses
  • Sample CV in Kenya
  • GHRIS Payslip
  • TSC Payslips

  • Related posts:

    1. Kenya Population – Population of Kenya
    2. Kenyan People – People of Kenya
    3. Bantus, Nilotes, Cushites and The Great Migration into Kenya
    4. Kenya Language – Languages Spoken in Kenya
    5. Bantus in Kenya
    6. Nilotes in Kenya
    7. GHRIS Payslip Online Portal Login 2021 and Downloads, 2021 P9 Form
    8. Embu Tribe

    Filed Under: About Kenya

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    About Kenya

    • Kenya
    • Kenya Government
    • Kenya Directory
    • Governors in Kenya
    • Senators in Kenya
    • Constituencies in Kenya
    • Counties in Kenya
    • Tribes in Kenya
    • Huduma Kenya
    • iTax Kenya
    • KRA PIN
    • Kenya ID Card
    • Kenyan Passport
    • Kenya Population
    • Kenya Religion
    • Richest Kenyans
    • Driving License
    • Postal Codes Kenya
    • Kenyan Mps
    • Kikuyu Tribe

    About Kenya

    • NHIF Kenya
    • DSTV Kenya
    • Kenyan Gospel Music
    • GOTV Kenya
    • GHRIS Payslip
    • KCB Mpesa Loan
    • KPLC Bill Enquiry
    • KPLC Contacts
    • KPLC Tokens
    • MPesa Charges
    • M-Shwari
    • Zuku Customer Care
    • Paybill Numbers
    • DStv
    • GOTV
    • KCB Bank
    • KPLC
    • Startimes
    • Zuku

    Education in Kenya

    • HELB Loan Status
    • KASNEB Results
    • KCPE Registration
    • KCPE Results
    • KCSE Exam
    • KCSE Results
    • KNEC Website
    • Private Universities
    • Form One Selection
    • Colleges in Kenya
    • Universities in Kenya
    • KCPE Exam
    • Sample CV in Kenya
    • KUCCPS Admission
    • KUCCPS Application

    Education in Kenya

    • Revision of Courses
    • TSC Payslips
    • Kenyatta University
    • Jkuat Courses
    • Moi University
    • Nairobi University
    • Mount Kenya University
    • KMTC Courses

    Tourism in Kenya

    • Tourism in Kenya
    • Tourist Attractions
    • Tour Operators
    • Kenya Safari
    • Kenyan Culture
    • Kenyan Food
    • Places to Visit
    • Maasai Tribe
    • Maasai Market
    • Masai Mara Reserve
    • Nairobi Park
    • Amboseli Park
    • Hells Gate Park
    • Lake Nakuru Park

    Towns in Kenya

    • Towns in Kenya
    • Nairobi Kenya
    • Mombasa Kenya
    • Nakuru Kenya
    • Eldoret Kenya
    • Naivasha Kenya
    • Nanyuki Kenya
    • Malindi Kenya
    • Watamu Kenya
    • Lamu Kenya

    Famous People in Kenya

    • Jeff Koinange
    • Victoria Rubadiri
    • Lilian Muli
    • Lulu Hassan
    • Anne Kiguta
    • Kanze Dena
    • Betty Kyalo
    • Larry Madowo
    • Sanaipei Tande
    • Talia Oyando
    • Vera Sidika
    • William Ruto
    • Anne Waiguru
    • Babu Owino
    • Esther Passaris
    • Johnson Sakaja
    • Aisha Jumwa
    • Alfred-Mutua
    • Akothee

    Kenya Directory

    • Advertising Agencies
    • Architects
    • Audit Firms
    • Banks
    • Construction Companies
    • Courier Services
    • Entertainment
    • Insurance Companies
    • Law Firms
    • Modelling Agencies
    • Photographers
    • Plastic Manufacturers
    • Property Companies
    • Publishers
    • Recruitment Agencies
    • Saccos
    • Security Companies

    Copyright © 2021 · Powerd by . InformationCradle · Log in