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What is the third-largest county in Kenya?

What is the third-largest county in Kenya? By land area, the answer is Wajir County, a vast arid and semi-arid county in northeastern Kenya. Official Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data from the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census records Wajir at approximately 56,773.1 square kilometres, making it one of the country's largest administrative regions.

Wajir is notable not only for its size but also for its pastoral economy, strategic position near two international borders, distinctive dryland landscapes, and the challenges and opportunities associated with life in Kenya's arid north.

What is the third-largest county in Kenya?

Wajir is the third-largest county in Kenya by land area. It is located in the country's North Eastern region and covers approximately 56,773 square kilometres according to KNBS's 2019 census data.

Different publications sometimes give slightly different figures for county areas because of the datasets and mapping methodologies used. For example, a 2024 green finance assessment reports Wajir at approximately 56,685.9 km² and likewise identifies it as Kenya's third-largest county by land area.

The important point is consistent across these sources: Wajir ranks third nationally by geographical size.

Rank County Approximate area
1 Turkana 68,000+ km²
2 Marsabit 66,000–70,000+ km²*
3 Wajir About 56,700 km²

*Published figures for county area can vary according to the source and measurement methodology. Marsabit County's own website, for example, reports 66,923.1 km² and identifies it as Kenya's second-largest county after Turkana.

Where is Wajir County located?

Wajir lies in northeastern Kenya, giving it considerable geographical and regional importance. It borders Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the east, while neighboring Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo and Marsabit counties within Kenya. Wajir Town serves as the county's administrative capital.

Its enormous territory is characterized largely by arid and semi-arid conditions. Settlements are spread across long distances, and pastoral communities have historically adapted their livelihoods to limited and highly variable rainfall.

This geography helps explain why understanding Wajir requires looking beyond its impressive size.

How many people live in Wajir County?

Despite being the third-largest county geographically, Wajir is relatively sparsely populated.

The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census recorded 781,263 residents living across approximately 56,773.1 km². That produced a population density of only about 14 people per square kilometre.

This contrasts sharply with much smaller urban counties. Nairobi, for example, had more than 4.39 million residents within only about 703.9 km² in the same census.

Wajir therefore demonstrates why the terms “largest county” and “most populated county” should not be used interchangeably.

What is Wajir County known for?

Wajir's identity is closely connected to pastoralism and the landscapes of northeastern Kenya.

A 2024 assessment by FSD Kenya describes livestock keeping—particularly camels, goats and sheep—as a key economic activity, alongside subsistence agriculture and small-scale trade. The report notes that nomadic pastoralism is practiced by a significant share of the population.

The county is also known for:

  • Pastoral culture: Livestock plays an important economic and social role.
  • Cross-border location: Its proximity to Ethiopia and Somalia influences trade, migration and regional dynamics.
  • Arid landscapes: Much of Wajir experiences hot, dry conditions and variable rainfall.
  • Wajir Town: The county capital functions as an important administrative and commercial center.
  • Other settlements: Habaswein, Bute, Griftu and Eldas are among the county's other significant towns.

Why does Wajir's size matter?

Being Kenya's third-largest county creates both opportunities and challenges. Its extensive land supports pastoral livelihoods and cross-border economic activity, but vast distances can make infrastructure and public-service delivery more difficult.

Water scarcity is particularly important. Wajir's dry climate makes communities vulnerable to drought, while pastoral households depend heavily on reliable access to water and grazing resources.

These characteristics have made climate resilience, water management and sustainable livestock production important development priorities for the county. A recent green finance assessment similarly highlights Wajir's exposure to climate-related challenges and the importance of building resilience.

Is Wajir bigger than Marsabit and Turkana?

No. Wajir ranks behind Turkana and Marsabit when Kenyan counties are compared by geographical area.

The exact area figures vary among official and research sources, but Wajir's position as third largest is well supported. A Kenyan High Court judgment, for example, explicitly described Wajir as the country's third-largest county after Turkana and Marsabit. A recent financial and development assessment reaches the same conclusion.

Final answer: What is the third-largest county in Kenya?

So, what is the third-largest county in Kenya? The answer is Wajir County.

Located in northeastern Kenya, Wajir covers roughly 56,700 square kilometres and had 781,263 residents in the 2019 census. Its enormous territory, pastoral economy, international borders with Ethiopia and Somalia, and arid environment make it one of Kenya's most geographically distinctive counties.

For factual accuracy, it is best to specify “third-largest county in Kenya by land area”, because rankings based on population produce a completely different result.

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