Kisii and Nyamira Counties: The 2013 Devolution Split
The Kisii heartland is divided into two counties: Kisii County (the original heartland and administrative center) and Nyamira County (carved out in 2013 during Kenya's constitutional devolution process). Both are among Kenya's most densely populated counties, presenting unique economic and social challenges related to land scarcity and population pressure.
Pre-Devolution: Kisii District
Before 2013, the entire Kisii region was administered as a single district within the larger Nyanza Province. The district was created in 1987 and subdivided from earlier administrative divisions. Kisii town became the regional administrative center, and Kisii people considered the area as a unified homeland despite its large population.
The 2013 Devolution and Nyamira Carve-Out
Kenya's 2010 constitution and the 2013 general election introduced devolution, creating 47 county governments. As part of this restructuring, Nyamira County was separated from Kisii County. The split was ostensibly administratively rational (reducing the size of Kisii County) but was politically contentious.
Nyamira County comprises the northwestern portions of traditional Kisii territory, including constituencies:
- Nyamira Town
- Kitutu Masaba
- South Nyamira
- Borabu
Kisii County (post-2013) comprises nine constituencies:
- Kisii Town
- Kisii Central
- Nyaribari Masaba
- Nyaribari Chache
- Bonchari
- Bobasi
- South Mugirango
- Kitutu Chache North
- Kitutu Chache South
Population Density Comparisons
Both counties are among the most densely populated in Kenya, a consequence of favorable climate, high agricultural productivity, and rapid population growth.
- Kisii County: 874.7 people per square kilometre (as of recent surveys), with a 2019 census population of 1,266,860
- Nyamira County: 665 people per square kilometre, with significant portions over 700 per sq km
For context, these densities exceed many African countries' averages and rival the most densely populated regions in Rwanda and Uganda.
The Politics of the Split
The division was motivated partly by administrative efficiency (reducing the size of a single county) and partly by local political demands. Some Kisii leaders and communities in the northwestern region (present-day Nyamira) felt marginalized by a Kisii County government based in Kisii town, which is in the southern portion of the traditional territory. Creating a separate county allowed for more localized governance.
However, the split also:
- Divided clan territories: Borabu and Manga clans were split across the two counties
- Created two separate fiscal bases and development budgets
- Introduced political competition between the two governors
- Complicated inter-county coordination on shared issues (e.g., water scarcity, cross-border disputes)
Current Administration
Kisii County Governors:
- James Ongwae (2013-2022)
- Simba Arati (2022-present), who assumed office amid political controversy
Nyamira County Governors:
- John Nyaribo (2013-2018)
- Amos Nyaribo (2018-present), John's brother
Devolution Challenges and Outcomes
Devolution was intended to bring government closer to citizens and improve service delivery. In Kisii and Nyamira, outcomes have been mixed:
- Infrastructure: Both counties have invested in roads and water projects, though funding remains limited relative to need
- Education: County governments manage secondary schools and technical institutes
- Health: County health services have expanded, though quality remains inconsistent
- Land Issues: Devolution has not resolved underlying land fragmentation and disputes; in some cases, it has amplified them as county governments are drawn into local land conflicts
The division, while administratively logical, has not resolved the underlying challenge facing both counties: extreme population pressure on limited land resources.