The population of Nakuru county increased from 1.6 million to 2.1 million — a rise of 500,000 — between 2009 and 2019.
“The population increased from 1.6 million to 2.1 million, reflecting more than 500,000 more people who moved into the county,” the Kenya County Fact Sheet reads.
The fact sheet is compiled by the Commission for Revenue Allocation.
According to the 2019 census, Nakuru county had more young people than older people.
Residents aged 18 to 35 years totalled 836,896 compared with 97,110 aged 61 years and older.
The second most densely populated age group of Nakuru residents is six to 14 years, which is school going children at 489,109,” according to the report
The distribution of residents in urban and rural areas also increased by almost 300,000 in each.
The year in which Nakuru made the highest contribution to the country’s GDP was 2016, when it contributed 5.28 per cent.
“In 2018-19 the country generated the highest own source revenue of Sh2.8 million,” the report read.
According to the report, the poverty levels declined from 2005 to 2016.
The poverty headcount declined from40.1 to 29.1, similar to the poverty gap from 12.1 to 7.8.
According to the report, a high population of Nakuru residents take part in agric-forestry fishing, because of Lakes Nakuru, Naivasha and Elementaita.
"Some 261,001 households take part in crop farming while another 191,000 take part in livestock production," the report read.
Nakuru county received the highest equitable share revenue of Sh13 million in 2021-22.
Nakuru was elevated from a municipality to a city on December 1, 2021.
The Senate received the request from Nakuru county on November 21, 2020. The municipality then had to prove that it qualified in terms of population, finance, transport, health, education and other factors.
City status means an urban area qualifies for more benefits, grants, national staff and attracts more people and investment.
The Devolution committee held seven sittings and established the population of Nakuru Municipality was 367,183, exceeding the required city population of 250,000 people.
The committee confirmed Nakuru has generated sufficient revenue in the past three financial years, demonstrating its capacity to sustain itself.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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