County Code: 001
County Information
Mombasa is the smallest county in Kenya with an area of 212.5 square kilometres. It is located in the former Coast Province near the Indian Ocean. Mombasa County borders Kilifi County to the north, Kwale County to the south west and the Indian Ocean to the east. The county is known for tourist activities such as sunbathing and beach relaxation, leisure and much more. The current governor of Mombasa County is Ali Hassan Joho.
Demographics of Mombasa
Mombasa County is composed of an urban city with multicultural populations. It hosts local communities and immigrants from other counties as well as abroad.
The local communities of Mombasa County include Mijikenda, Swahili, and Kenyan Arabs. The largest group is the Mijikenda tribe, though the community has largely intermarried with Arabs, Somalis, and immigrants from other parts of the country.
Immigrant groups in Mombasa are Kamba, Kikukuyu, Luos, among others. Kikuyu and Kamba tribes are the largest foreign tribes, who mainly came to Mombasa for business.
The population of Mombasa County is 1.2 Million spread across six sub counties. Mombasa is the only city in Mombasa County.
Economy
Mombasa is listed as one of the top 10 richest counties in Kenya, ranked position 4 in 2020 after Nairobi, Nakuru, and Kiambu in that order. Mombasa County has a GDP of $332,122 and a GCP of 4.7. The major source of revenue for the county is Tourism, having the largest number of beaches in East Africa. Tourism generates 68% of all employment opportunities in the county.
Some of the tourist attraction sites in Mombasa include: Fort Jesus, white sandy Beaches, Water Sports, Mombasa Marine National Park, Nature Trail, Historical and Cultural sites and numerous world class Tourist Hotels.
It is also the gateway to East Africa with the Port of Mombasa being the major route for shipping of goods into the East African region.
Other economic activities carried out in Mombasa include: fishing, farming of sisal, sugarcane, cashew nuts, and coconuts and livestock farming.
Manufacturing is also carried in some parts of the county, including cement manufacturing by the Bamburi Cement Company located in Bamburi. The county is also known for oil refinery, food processing, salt and sand extraction.
Culture and Religion
Mombasa County is influenced by the fusion of Arab, Islamic and Swahili cultures. The largest number of people are Muslims, but many are also Christians. Islam was established by Arabs who came to Mombasa for trade way back before colonialism. One key aspect of Swahili culture that is common in Mombasa is the cuisine, including chapati and pilau (rice with coconut milk). You also get a treat of fish as part of their delicacies due to their location close to the coast. Most of their food are also full of spices.
Mombasa has a rich history of culture that is highly influenced by foreign cultures, including the influence of Indians, Arabs, and European tourists. There are several mosques and temples, representing the religions of Hindus and Muslims.
Local Mombasa residents have simple lifestyles with little energy and action. They like to take things slow and they are not driven by business or active lifestyles. This is why most business people in the region are immigrants from other counties. But Mombasa people are very much welcoming. They value their local languages and conservative dress codes, characterized by long black dresses known as buibui in Swahili. Women also wear veils due to the influence of the Islamic religion, or a black cloth called hijabu, which is used to cover their heads. The people value good relations with others and demonstrate a collectivist culture.
Taarab music, which originates from Zanzibar, has a prominent local presence. Other music styles include Chakacha, Banko, and Mwanzele.
Some Facts about Mombasa County:
- Mombasa is the smallest county in size in Kenya
- Kongowea: is a densely populated area with 15 villages, two sub-locations and an estimated population of 106,180 residents
- Jomvu sub-county has the lowest population in the county
- The forest flora was used solely for the collection of medicinal herbs.
- The main cash crop in Mombasa county is coconut palm
- The types of livestock kept in the county include sheep, cattle and goats.
Major Tourist Attractions in Mombasa:
Major tourist attractions
- Fort Jesus
- Mamba village
- Haller park
- Ngomongo villages
- Bombolulu workshop
- Old town
- Pirates public beach
- Wild waters, Nyali
List of Constituencies and Wards in Mombasa:
Mombasa County has a total of 6 constituencies and 30 wards as shown below:
| Constituency name | Pop. 2009 Census | Area covered | No. of ward | wards |
| Changamwe | 147,613 | 16 | 5 | Port Reitz, Kipevu, Airport, Changamwe, Chaani |
| Jomvu | 102,566 | 29 | 3 | Jomvu Kuu, Miritini, Mikindani |
| Kisauni | 194,065 | 88.7 | 7 | Mjambere, Junda, Bamburi, Mwakirunge, Mtopanga, Magogoni, Shanzu |
| Nyali | 185,990 | 22.88 | 5 | Frere Town, Ziwa la Ngombe, Mkomani, Kongowea, Kadzandani |
| Likoni | 166,008 | 41.10 | 5 | Mtongwe, Shika Adabu, Bofu, Likoni, Timbwani |
| Mvita | 143,128 | 14.80 | 5 | Mji wa Kale/Makadara, Tudor, Tononoka, Majengo Ganjoni/Shimanzi |
| Total | 939,370 | 212.48 | 30 | – |
List of Sub Counties in Mombasa County
There are 6 sub counties in Mombasa County:
- Changamwe
- Jomvu
- Kisauni
- Nyali
- Likoni
- Mvita
Map of Mombasa County
