Full List of Mombasa County Wards and Sub-Counties (2025)
- BeyondForest
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 27
2.)Administrative Divisions in Mombasa County
4.)Sub-Counties and Their Key Towns
5.)Map of Mombasa County
7.)Frequently Asked Questions about Mombasa County
Mombasa is Kenya’s oldest and second-largest city, located along the Indian Ocean coastline
Aerial view of a Mombasa cityscape with dense buildings by Teamluk 🅿hotography📷
Mombasa County, located along Kenya’s southeastern coastline, is the country’s oldest and second-largest city after Nairobi. Serving as the gateway to Kenya’s coastal tourism and trade,
Mombasa enjoys a tropical climate all year round, ideal for tourism and marine adventures.
Mombasa blends centuries of Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, and British influences, giving it a unique cultural and architectural charm. The county sits on Mombasa Island, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and connected to the mainland by the Nyali, Likoni, and Makupa bridges.
The county blends Swahili, Arab, Portuguese, and British influences, making it Kenya’s cultural melting pot.
Known for its white sandy beaches, vibrant marine life, and tropical climate, Mombasa is a haven for tourists all year round. Iconic attractions include Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1593; Old Town, with narrow streets and ornately carved doors; and the Mombasa Elephant Tusks, symbolizing the city’s heritage. Visitors can unwind at Nyali, Bamburi, and Diani beaches, go snorkeling at Mombasa Marine Park, or enjoy a scenic stroll along the Mama Ngina Waterfront.
Mombasa County is divided into six sub-counties, thirty county assembly wards, thirteen divisions, 33 locations, and 62 sub-locations.
Mombasa county’s economy thrives on tourism, shipping, fishing, and manufacturing, supported by the Port of Mombasa, East Africa’s largest seaport. Mombasa is also a hub of Swahili culture, renowned for its warm hospitality and flavorful cuisine—dishes like pilau, biriani, kuku wa kupaka, and mahamri reflect the region’s diverse heritage. Beyond its beauty, Mombasa County remains a crucial link in Kenya’s economic and cultural identity, attracting travelers, traders, and dreamers seeking the rhythm of the coast and the spirit of the ocean.
six sub-counties—Kisauni, Mvita, Likoni, Changamwe, Jomvu, and Nyali
Administrative Divisions in Mombasa County
Mombasa county is structured into six sub-counties, each further divided into wards, which serve as the primary units of grassroots administration and citizen engagement.
Aerial view of a Mombasa cityscape with dense buildings by Teamluk 🅿hotography📷
To enhance accessibility of government services, the county has been investing in decentralizing functions from the headquarters to sub-county and ward levels through construction of service centers, administrative offices, and digital infrastructure. For example, new sub-county and ward offices have been prioritized for construction in Changamwe, Kisauni, Nyali, and Jomvu to decentralize service delivery and improve accessibility for citizens at local levels.
List of Wards in Mombasa County
Mombasa County is administratively divided into 6 sub-counties, which are further broken down into 30 wards. These wards form the smallest units of county governance and play a key role in public participation, resource allocation, and local service delivery.
Changamwe Sub-County – 5 Wards
Changamwe |
Chaani |
Airport |
Kipevu |
Port Reitz |
Jomvu Sub-County – 3 Wards
Jomvu Kuu |
Miritini |
Mikindani |
Kisauni Sub-County – 6 Wards
Mwakirunge |
Mjambere |
Junda |
Bamburi |
Shanzu |
Mtopanga |
Nyali Sub-County – 5 Wards
Kongowea |
Kadzandani |
Mkomani |
Ziwa la Ng’ombe |
Frere Town |
Mvita Sub-County – 5 Wards
Tudor |
Tononoka |
Ganjoni/Shimanzi |
Majengo |
Old Town |
Likoni Sub-County – 5 Wards
Likoni |
Mtongwe |
Shika Adabu |
Bofu |
Timbwani |
Sub-County | Key Towns / Major Areas |
Changamwe | Port Reitz (airport area), Kipevu (industrial port zone), Airport neighbourhood, Chaani |
Jomvu | Miritini (growing residential hub), Mikindani (older town), Jomvu Kuu |
Kisauni | Bamburi (beach & resort area), Shanzu, Mtopanga, Magogoni, Junda, Mwakirunge |
Nyali | Nyali Beach & seafront resorts, Ziwa la Ng’ombe, Mkomani, Kongowea |
Likoni | Likoni Ferry terminal area, Mtongwe, Shika Adabu, Bofu, Timbwani |
Mvita | Old Town (historic core), Tudor, Tononoka, Ganjoni/Shimanzi |
Fort Jesus
Fort Jesus is one of Kenya’s most iconic historical landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in 1593 to guard their trade route to India. Designed in the shape of a man by Italian architect Giovanni Battista Cairati, the fort symbolizes centuries of cultural exchange between Africans, Arabs, and Europeans.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Portuguese in 1593, symbolizing the region’s diverse cultural heritage.
Its thick coral-stone walls, underground passages, and museum now showcase ancient artifacts, Portuguese cannons, and Swahili relics, offering visitors a vivid journey through Mombasa’s maritime and colonial history.
🕌 Mombasa Old Town
Mombasa Old Town is a living museum of Swahili, Arab, and Asian heritage, showcasing centuries of coastal trade and cultural fusion. Its narrow winding streets, ornate wooden balconies, and carved Swahili doors reflect influences from Portuguese and Islamic architecture. Visitors can explore antique shops, spice markets, mosques, and heritage buildings that whisper stories of a bygone era. Best explored on foot, Old Town immerses travelers in the sights, scents, and sounds of Mombasa’s historic soul, making it a timeless coastal treasure.
Mama Ngina Waterfront is a 3-kilometre scenic seafront park along Mombasa Island, offering breathtaking views of ships sailing into the Indian Ocean. Once a colonial promenade, it has been transformed into a modern recreational hub featuring manicured gardens, walkways, fountains, and cultural monuments.
Where MVITA - The War Between Swahili Natives (Wakilindini) & the Portuguese happened. Now a recreational Park where people come to hangout.
Visitors enjoy madafu (fresh coconut water), roasted maize, cassava crisps, and local street delicacies while relaxing under historic baobab trees. Blending leisure, history, and coastal charm, Mama Ngina Waterfront stands as a proud symbol of Mombasa’s urban renewal and cultural heritage.
🐠 Mombasa Marine National Park
Mombasa Marine National Park, located just 10 km from the city centre, is one of Kenya’s most spectacular underwater sanctuaries. It features vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear lagoons, and diverse marine life including starfish, crabs, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and colorful tropical fish.
The park’s white sandy beaches and coral gardens make it ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat rides, and sunbathing. Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), it serves as a vital habitat for marine biodiversity and a top ecotourism attraction in Mombasa.
🌿 Haller Park
Haller Park is a remarkable eco-tourism and wildlife sanctuary located in Bamburi, just 10 km from Mombasa’s city centre. Once an abandoned limestone quarry, it was transformed into a lush green paradise by Dr. René Haller, showcasing successful environmental rehabilitation.
The park hosts giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, tortoises, and various bird species along scenic walking and cycling trails.
🐘 Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve, located about 33 km south of Mombasa, is one of Kenya’s most scenic coastal parks, famous for its lush forests, rolling hills, and rich biodiversity. It is home to the rare sable antelope, elephants, leopards, and over 200 bird species. Visitors can explore Sheldrick Falls, picnic on scenic viewpoints, and enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, located about 50 km south of Diani Beach in Kwale County, is renowned as Kenya’s “Home of the Dolphins.”
The park features 250 fish species, 70 resident dolphins, sea turtles, and vibrant coral reefs that create a breathtaking underwater world. Visitors enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and dolphin-watching excursions in its turquoise waters. Managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the park is a haven for marine biodiversity
How many wards are in Mombasa County?
Mombasa County has 30 wards, which are distributed across its six sub-counties. These wards form the smallest administrative and political units used for local governance, resource allocation, and representation at the County Assembly.
Which is the largest sub-county in Mombasa?
Kisauni Sub-County is the largest in Mombasa, both in population and land size. It covers approximately 106.9 km², making it the most expansive administrative area and one of the most densely populated parts of the county.
What tribe is the majority in Mombasa?
The Mijikenda community, especially the Digo and Giriama, are the ancestral inhabitants of Mombasa and form the majority. However, Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city with diverse communities including Swahili/Arab, Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Somali, and Indian communities
According to the 2019 census, Mombasa County had a population of 1,208,333 people. Current projections estimate the population to be over 1.3 million by 2025
What is county number 47 in Kenya?
Mombasa County is County Number 001 in Kenya. County 047 is Nairobi County.
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