Thika Population 2026
Thika has a population of 251,407, making it the #9 biggest city in 🇰🇪 Kenya, located in Nairobi County. Roughly 0.4% of Kenya's population lives here. It is about 17× smaller than Nairobi, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
251,407
Rank in Kenya
#9
Coordinates
1.03°S, 37.07°E
~1,506 m elevation · Africa/Nairobi
Distance to capital (Nairobi)
40 km
25 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Nairobi County
| City | Population | Rank in Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi | 4,397,073 | #1 |
Cities near Thika
- Juja156,041 people · ~10 km away
- Kenol44,086 people · ~12 km away
- Ruiru490,120 people · ~17 km away
- Kiambu147,870 people · ~30 km away
- Githunguri63,319 people · ~31 km away
- Githunguri63,319 people · ~33 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Thika?
Thika has a population of 251,407 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #9 biggest city in Kenya.
What region is Thika in?
Thika is located in Nairobi County, Kenya.
Is Thika the capital of Kenya?
No, the capital of Kenya is Nairobi, about 40 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.