Vihiga County is Kenya's smallest county by area (563 square kilometres) yet one of the most densely populated with approximately 1,000 people per square kilometre and total population of approximately 600,000. The Maragoli (also called Logoli), a Luhya sub-group, are the dominant ethnic population. Vihiga is essentially a highland rural area with Vihiga town as the small county headquarters. The county is distinguished by an extraordinary diaspora sending remittances from Nairobi, Mombasa, and international destinations, reflecting historical out-migration patterns.
Key Characteristics
- Area: 563 square kilometres (Kenya's smallest county)
- Population density: approximately 1,000 people per km²
- Population: approximately 600,000
- Primary ethnic group: Maragoli (Luhya sub-group)
- County headquarters: Vihiga town
- Primary livelihood: Agriculture and remittances
- Distinguishing feature: Diaspora economy
County Overview by Topic
Urban Centre and Local Government
People and Culture
Demographics and Migration
Agriculture and Food
Land and Environment
Governance and Development
Social Issues and Opportunity
Services and Infrastructure
Community and Civil Society
Property and Economy
History and Change
Cross-County Links
See Also
Luhya, Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Conservation, Conservation Timeline
Sources
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2019). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census: Vihiga County." https://www.knbs.or.ke/
- County Government of Vihiga. "Vihiga County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022." https://vihiga.go.ke/
- UNDP Kenya. "Vihiga County Human Development Report." https://www.ke.undp.org/