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Nairobi, Kenya

Capital city ยท Population 4.4M

Nairobi is the capital and the largest city in Kenya with a population of approximately 4,397,073 people as of 2026. This makes it the 71st largest city in the world, accounting for 8.24% of Kenya's total population of 53.3M. Nairobi is classified as a major city and operates in the Africa/Nairobi timezone.

Population

4,397,073

Global Rank

#71

Country Rank

#1

% of Kenya

8.24%

Nairobi on the Map

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Kenya at a Glance

Country Population

53,330,978

Capital

Nairobi

Region

Eastern Africa

Major Cities

29

GDP per Capita

$2,132

Life Expectancy

63.6 years

Urban Population

31.9%

Growth Rate

0.02%

Other Major Cities in Kenya

Kakamega
1.9M
Mombasa
1.2M
Nakuru
571K
Ruiru
490K
Eldoret
476K
Kisumu
398K
Kikuyu
324K
Thika
251K
Naivasha
198K
Karuri
194K

Nearest Major Cities

Closest cities to Nairobi with over 100,000 people

Cities closest to Nairobi by distance
CityPopulationDistance
Kiambu147,87013 km
Lang'ata172,56913 km
Karuri194,34214 km
Ongata Rongai172,56914 km
Kikuyu323,88118 km
Ngong102,32318 km
Mlolongo136,35119 km
Ruiru490,12022 km

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nairobi?

The population of Nairobi, Kenya is approximately 4,397,073 people, making it the 71st largest city in the world and the 1st largest in Kenya.

Is Nairobi the capital of Kenya?

Yes, Nairobi is the capital of Kenya.

What timezone is Nairobi in?

Nairobi is in the Africa/Nairobi timezone.