Mbale Population 2026

Mbale has a population of 60,000, making it the #51 biggest city in 🇰🇪 Kenya, located in Vihiga County. Roughly 0.1% of Kenya's population lives here. It is about 73× smaller than Nairobi, the country's biggest city.

Location of Mbale (capital Nairobi shown for reference). Boundaries: Natural Earth.

Population (city proper)

60,000

Rank in Kenya

#51

Coordinates

0.08°N, 34.72°E

~1,628 m elevation · Africa/Nairobi

Distance to capital (Nairobi)

278 km

173 miles, straight line

Cities near Mbale

Khwisero113,294 people · ~17 km away
Kisumu397,957 people · ~21 km away
Kakamega1,867,579 people · ~23 km away
Mumias45,485 people · ~38 km away
Kapsabet41,997 people · ~45 km away
Siaya33,153 people · ~48 km away

FAQ

What is the population of Mbale?

Mbale has a population of 60,000 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #51 biggest city in Kenya.

What region is Mbale in?

Mbale is located in Vihiga County, Kenya.

Is Mbale the capital of Kenya?

No, the capital of Kenya is Nairobi, about 278 km away.

Sources & notes

Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.

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