Bomet County, Kenya: Location, Towns, Sub-Counties & Facts
- BeyondForest
- 14 hours ago
- 8 min read
1.)Overview of Bomet County
2.)Where Is Bomet County Located? (Maps & Regional Importance)
4.)Population, Demographics & Poverty Levels in Bomet County
5.)Bomet County Economy: GVA, Growth Rate & Key Sectors
6.)Agriculture in Bomet County: Crops, Livestock & Dairy Statistics
10.)What Is Bomet County Known For? (Opportunities & Future Outlook)
Overview of Bomet County
📍 Geography & Size
Total land area: ~1,630 km² (one of Kenya’s smaller counties)
Sub-counties: 5 (Bomet East, Bomet Central, Chepalungu, Konoin, Sotik)
Bomet County is a devolved administrative unit located in Kenya’s South Rift region and forms part of both the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB). The county covers approximately 1,630 square kilometres, making it one of the smaller counties in Kenya, and is administratively divided into five sub-counties: Bomet Central, Bomet East, Chepalungu, Konoin, and Sotik .
Bomet has a population of over 875,000 people, growing at an average annual rate of 1.9%, with the majority living in rural areas and relying heavily on agriculture for livelihoods . Economically, the county contributes about 1.5% of Kenya’s national Gross Value Added (GVA), with agriculture accounting for more than 54% of its economy, driven mainly by tea farming, dairy production, and maize cultivation .
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The county government operates with a projected KSh 9.1 billion budget for FY 2025/2026, prioritizing health, agriculture, infrastructure, and development programs aimed at improving service delivery and economic resilience .
Bomet County is located in the South Rift region of Kenya, within the former Rift Valley Province. It lies approximately 230 kilometres southwest of Nairobi and occupies a strategic position linking the Rift Valley highlands to western Kenya. The county borders Kericho County to the north, Nyamira and Kisii counties to the west and southwest, and Narok County to the south and east, placing it at an important regional crossroads.
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Geographically, Bomet sits in fertile highland zones with reliable rainfall, making it well suited for tea farming, dairy production, and food crop agriculture. From a regional planning perspective, its location allows it to serve as a transition zone between the South Rift and Nyanza regions, supporting trade, agricultural supply chains, and movement of goods and people. Its inclusion in both the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) further enhances its importance in regional economic integration, infrastructure planning, and inter-county development initiatives.
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Administrative Structure: Sub-Counties, Wards & Urban Centres
Population & Poverty
Population: ~875,000+ residents
Population growth rate: 1.9% annually
Poverty rate: 45.4% of residents live below the poverty line
Bomet County’s administrative structure is designed to support effective governance, service delivery, and local development under Kenya’s devolved system. The county is divided into five sub-counties: Bomet Central, Bomet East, Chepalungu, Konoin, and Sotik. These sub-counties also function as constituencies and form the primary units for planning, budgeting, and coordination of county and national government services.
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At the grassroots level, Bomet County is further subdivided into 25 wards, each represented by an elected Member of the County Assembly (MCA). Wards are critical administrative units, as they serve as the main channels for public participation, local development projects, and community-level decision-making.
In terms of urban centres, Bomet Town is the county headquarters and the largest urban and commercial hub. Other key towns include Sotik, Longisa, Kaplong, and Chebunyo, which act as important service, trade, and agricultural collection centres across the county.
Population, Demographics & Poverty Levels in Bomet County
💰 Economy
Contribution to national GVA: ~1.5%
County GVA per capita: KSh 122,073
Average GVA growth rate (2013–2022): 5.47%→ Higher than Kenya’s national average of 4.37%
Sector contribution to GVA:
Agriculture: ~54.5%
Services: ~28.9%
Industry: ~16.6%
Bomet County has a population of over 875,000 people, growing at an average annual rate of 1.9%, with the majority of residents living in rural areas and depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. The population structure is relatively youthful, providing a large labour force but also placing pressure on education, health, and employment systems. According to recent economic assessments, about 45.4% of the population lives below the poverty line, indicating significant income and welfare challenges. Child poverty and stunting remain notable concerns, highlighting the need for improved nutrition, social protection, and access to basic services.
Bomet County Economy: GVA, Growth Rate & Key Sectors
Main cash crop: Tea
Main food crop: Maize
Dairy farming has high comparative advantage
Poultry farming dominated by indigenous chicken
Agriculture employs the largest share of the workforce
Bomet County has a predominantly agriculture-driven economy and contributes about 1.5% of Kenya’s national Gross Value Added (GVA). The county’s GVA per capita is approximately KSh 122,000, reflecting a largely rural, production-based economy. Between 2013 and 2022, Bomet recorded an average economic growth rate of about 5.5%, outperforming the national average over the same period. Agriculture is the dominant sector, contributing over 54% of county GVA, led by tea, dairy, and maize production. The services sector follows at roughly 29%, while industry, mainly construction and agro-processing, contributes about 17%.
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County Budget & Revenue (FY 2025/26)
Total projected county budget: KSh 9.1 billion
National equitable share: KSh 7.2B (79.3%)
Conditional grants: KSh 1.4B
Own-source revenue: KSh 310M
Agriculture is the backbone of Bomet County’s economy, accounting for over 54% of the county’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and employing the majority of the workforce. The county benefits from fertile highland soils and reliable rainfall, making it one of Kenya’s key agricultural zones. Tea is the leading cash crop and a major source of household income, while maize is the most important food crop, supporting local food security.
Livestock farming is also significant, with dairy cattle forming the core of the livestock sub-sector. Bomet has a strong comparative advantage in milk production, contributing substantially to the county’s agricultural value. Other livestock activities include poultry farming, dominated by indigenous chicken, as well as sheep and goat rearing. Apiculture (beekeeping) is emerging as an additional income source in some areas.
County Budget, Revenue & Development Priorities (FY 2025/26)
Top spending areas:
Personnel emoluments: 37%
Development expenditure: 33%
Health sector allocation: ~KSh 1.07B
For the FY 2025/26, Bomet County projected a total budget of approximately KSh 9.1 billion, emphasizing both service delivery and development. The largest share of funding comes from the national equitable share (about 79%), with additional resources from conditional grants and own-source revenue such as local fees and taxes. Key development priorities include healthcare expansion, agriculture support programmes, infrastructure improvement, and water and sanitation projects to enhance rural livelihoods. A significant proportion of the budget is allocated to personnel costs and frontline services, while a growing share is earmarked for capital investment and economic empowerment initiatives.
Climate, Rainfall Patterns & Environmental Risks in Bomet County
Climate & Environment
Bomet is non-ASAL (less than 10% aridity)
Faces increasing climate risks:
Droughts
Flooding
Rising temperatures
Rainfall variability
County enacted Bomet County Climate Change Act (2021)
Has a Climate Change Resilience Investment Fund (CCRI)
Bomet County lies in a non-ASAL highland zone and generally experiences moderate to high rainfall, which supports agriculture and water availability. However, recent assessments show increasing climate variability, marked by unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and occasional flooding. Temperature trends indicate a gradual rise in both day-time and night-time temperatures, increasing pressure on farming systems, water resources, and ecosystems. Key environmental risks identified in the county include soil erosion, land degradation, drought, and flood hazards, particularly in vulnerable wards. To address these challenges, the county enacted the Bomet County Climate Change Act (2021) and developed climate adaptation and resilience programs to protect livelihoods and natural resources.
Infrastructure, Land Use & Spatial Development Plan (2022–2031)
Bomet County’s Spatial Development Plan (2022–2031) provides a structured blueprint for land use, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable growth over the next decade. The plan identifies strategic zones for urban growth, agriculture, industrial activities, and ecological conservation, aiming to balance economic development with environmental protection. Priority infrastructure projects include road network upgrades to improve connectivity between rural and urban centres, expansion of water supply and sanitation systems, and enhancement of health and education facilities to meet growing population needs.
The plan also highlights key land use categories such as agricultural lands, residential areas, commercial hubs, and environmentally sensitive zones to guide future investments and prevent unplanned development. Emphasis is placed on leveraging Bomet’s agricultural strengths through agro-processing clusters and market access points that support farmers and create jobs.
Need Verified Data or Research Insights on Bomet County?
Planning an investment, project, report, or academic research in Bomet County?We collect, analyze, and structure local data including agriculture, population, climate, markets, land use, and county development trends.
✔ Field data collection
✔ Market & sector research
✔ County-level analytics & reports
✔ Custom dashboards & datasets
Request Data or Research Support Below
Get Bomet County Data Here 👉
What Is Bomet County Known For? (Opportunities & Future Outlook)
Bomet County is best known for its strong agricultural base, particularly tea farming, dairy production, and maize cultivation, which form the backbone of the local economy. The county has also gained recognition for producing elite long-distance athletes, reflecting a rich sports culture. Looking ahead, Bomet presents growing opportunities in agro-processing, value addition, and cooperative-based agribusiness, driven by supportive county policies and improving infrastructure.
Image of Famous gate lounge in Bomet County
Which tribe is found in Bomet County?
The dominant community in Bomet County is the Kalenjin, specifically the Kipsigis sub-tribe, which forms the majority of the population. Other communities live in the county due to trade, education, and employment.
Where is Bomet County located in Kenya?
Bomet County is located in the South Rift region of Kenya. It borders Narok County to the east and south, Kericho County to the north, Nyamira County to the west, and Kisii County to the southwest.
How many sub-counties are in Bomet County?
Bomet County has five sub-counties Bomet Central,Bomet East, Chepalungu, Sotik and Konoin
What is the largest town in Bomet County?
Bomet Town is the largest and main administrative town in the county. It serves as the county headquarters and the main commercial hub.
What is Bomet County known for?
Bomet County is well known for tea farming, dairy farming, maize production, and athletics. It is also recognized for its fertile highland soils and strong Kalenjin cultural heritage.
What are the main economic activities in Bomet County?
The main economic activities include Tea farming ,Dairy and livestock farming, Maize and crop farming ,Small-scale trade and businesses and Transport and local services
What is the population of Bomet County?
Bomet County has a population of over 875,000 people, according to recent national census estimates, with a mix of rural farming communities and growing urban centers.
Which counties neighbour Bomet County?
Bomet County neighbours Narok, Kericho, Nyamira, and Kisii counties, making it an important link between the South Rift and Nyanza regions.
Image of Famous gate lounge at Bomet County
The name Bomet is believed to originate from a local Kipsigis term referring to the area’s geographical features and early settlement patterns, though interpretations may vary by oral history.
Is Bomet County good for farming and investment?
Yes. Bomet County is highly suitable for agriculture, especially tea and dairy farming, due to reliable rainfall, fertile soils, and access to regional markets, making it attractive for agribusiness and land investment.
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