The Kenya National Bureau Statistics has released its first gross county product report which provides official statistics on economic size of counties, the structure of county economics and it also estimates the economic potential of the various counties in different sectors.
The publication which covers the period between 2013 and 2017 showed that Nairobi contributed Kenya’s GDP at 21.7 per cent followed by Nakuru, Kiambu and Mombasa with shares of 6.1, 5.5, and 4.7 per cent, respectively.
Only 21 counties led by Bungoma, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua, Elgeyo Markwet, Siaya, Nyeri surpassed the average growth in GCP per capita of 2.8 per cent.
KNBS Director General Zachariah Mwangi attributed large populations and thriving economic activities such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, financial, real estate and wholesale and retail trade to the high economies of these leading counties.
“Overall, agriculture and services account for the largest share of economic activity in majority of counties,” the GCP report stated.
Nonetheless, agriculture is seen to have a bigger share in contributing to the counties’ economy as major towns like Nairobi and Mombasa, which largely occupy urban centers are seen to have a declining GCP over time.
“Counties that are largely dominated by urban centers, notably Nairobi City and Mombasa, have had their shares of GCP consistently decline over the period mostly due to growth in agriculture’s contribution to gross domestic product.
“On the other hand, counties with strong presence of agricultural activities, particularly horticulture, have consistently improved their share of GCP over the period,” the report stated.
Lamu, Samburu, Isiolo, Tana River, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Baringo were listed as counties with untapped opportunities for industry sector development`while Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Machakos, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Kajiado thrived in that sector.
“More than a half of county economic activity is driven by services sector. GCP amounted to Ksh 3,992.7 billion in 2017, with services sector accounting for 54.6 per cent, followed by agriculture (24.0 per cent) and industry (21.4 per cent). However, agriculture remained the most spread across counties,” the report added.
