Capital of Kenya: Nairobi — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. Kenya sits in Africa, has a population of 54,027,487, and uses the KES. Official languages include Swahili, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Nairobi
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~54,027,487
- Area: 580,367 km²
- Population density: 93.1 people per km²
- Official languages: Swahili, English
- Currency: KES
- ISO code: KE
How big is Kenya?
By population, Kenya ranks 27th in the world, holding roughly 0.68% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 48th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Kenya has 93.1 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Kenya is the 7th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Kenya in population are Myanmar (54,179,306) and Colombia (51,874,024).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Botswana (581,730 km²) and Madagascar (587,041 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Swahili is spoken officially in 3 countries in this dataset, including Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya uses the KES, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Kenya
Nairobi comes from a Maasai phrase meaning 'place of cool waters'. On the flag, look for the Maasai shield: Kenya is the one with a shield in the middle.
The flag of Kenya: black, red and green, with white
🇰🇪 The flag is three horizontal stripes of black, red and green separated by thin white stripes, with a red, black and white Maasai shield and two crossed spears in the centre. Black stands for the people of Kenya, red for the struggle for independence, green for the land and its natural wealth, and white for peace. The shield and spears stand for defending freedom.
Region and neighbours
Kenya is a country in East Africa on the Indian Ocean, crossed by the equator and the Great Rift Valley. It shares land borders with 5 countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
- Ethiopia 🇪🇹 — capital Addis Ababa
- Somalia 🇸🇴 — capital Mogadishu
- Tanzania 🇹🇿 — capital Dodoma
- Uganda 🇺🇬 — capital Kampala
- South Sudan 🇸🇸 — capital Juba
Three facts about Kenya
- Mount Kenya, which gave the country its name, is the second-highest mountain in Africa.
- Nairobi National Park lies right next to the city, so giraffes and zebras can be seen with skyscrapers behind them.
- Each year huge herds of wildebeest and zebra cross into the Maasai Mara from Tanzania's Serengeti in the Great Migration.
Sources: Wikipedia: Kenya, Wikipedia: Flag of Kenya, Wikipedia: Nairobi, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Kenya
- African capitals quiz — match Kenya to Nairobi
- African flags quiz — spot the Kenya flag among its neighbours
Kenya capital quiz
What is the capital of Kenya 🇰🇪?
- Ouagadougou
- Nairobi
- Niamey
- Addis Ababa
Show answer
Nairobi
What is the capital of South Africa 🇿🇦?
- Bangui
- Pretoria
- Kampala
- Addis Ababa
Show answer
Pretoria
What is the capital of Uganda 🇺🇬?
- Maseru
- Kampala
- Juba
- Bangui
Show answer
Kampala
What is the capital of Sudan 🇸🇩?
- Gitega
- Pretoria
- Khartoum
- Djibouti
Show answer
Khartoum
What is the capital of Algeria 🇩🇿?
- Libreville
- Mbabane
- Pretoria
- Algiers
Show answer
Algiers
Kenya in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Kenya belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Kenya.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Kenya?
The capital of Kenya is Nairobi.
What is the population of Kenya?
About 54,027,487, making it the 27th most populous country in the world.
How big is Kenya?
580,367 square kilometres, ranking 48th by land area, at a density of 93.1 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Kenya use?
The KES, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Kenya flag?
The flag of Kenya is three horizontal stripes of black, red and green separated by thin white stripes, with a red, black and white Maasai shield and two crossed spears in the centre. Black stands for the people of Kenya, red for the struggle for independence, green for the land and its natural wealth, and white for peace. The shield and spears stand for defending freedom.
Which countries border Kenya?
Kenya shares land borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan.
How can I remember the capital of Kenya?
Nairobi comes from a Maasai phrase meaning 'place of cool waters'. On the flag, look for the Maasai shield: Kenya is the one with a shield in the middle.
More capitals to learn
Get the free Mind Skills Arcade app
Brain games for memory, logic, math and focus, free and offline: Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store