Our County

What is a county?

A county is a unit of government within Kenya. The 2010 Constitution created 47 counties, each with its own governor and county assembly. The KICD Social Studies curriculum helps Grade 4 learners know their home county.

Locating your county

Use a map to find:

• the name of your county and its headquarters town
• neighbouring counties
• main rivers, hills and lakes
• the direction (north, south, east, west) of nearby towns

Physical features

Counties differ. Kisumu lies by Lake Victoria, Nyeri is close to Mount Kenya and Kwale lies along the Indian Ocean coast.

Economic activities

• Farming: tea, coffee, maize, sugarcane
• Fishing in lakes and the ocean
• Trading in markets and shops
• Tourism at parks and beaches
• Mining and manufacturing

Services

Counties provide health centres, roads, water and markets. The county government is led by the governor and funded by taxes and national shares.

People and culture

Each county is home to different communities with their own foods, dances and dress. We respect each other and live peacefully as Kenyans.

Try it

• Draw a simple map of your county and mark the headquarters.
• List three economic activities in your area.
• Name two neighbouring counties.