Ruiru Population 2026
Ruiru has a population of 490,120, making it the #5 biggest city in 🇰🇪 Kenya, located in Kiambu County. Roughly 0.8% of Kenya's population lives here. It is about 9.0× smaller than Nairobi, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
490,120
Rank in Kenya
#5
Coordinates
1.15°S, 36.96°E
~1,531 m elevation · Africa/Nairobi
Distance to capital (Nairobi)
22 km
14 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Kiambu County
Cities near Ruiru
- Juja156,041 people · ~8 km away
- Kiambu147,870 people · ~14 km away
- Githunguri63,319 people · ~17 km away
- Thika251,407 people · ~17 km away
- Nairobi4,397,073 people · ~22 km away
- Githunguri63,319 people · ~23 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Ruiru?
Ruiru has a population of 490,120 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #5 biggest city in Kenya.
What region is Ruiru in?
Ruiru is located in Kiambu County, Kenya.
Is Ruiru the capital of Kenya?
No, the capital of Kenya is Nairobi, about 22 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.