Why Women in Kiambu and Embu Are Having Fewer Children Than the Rest of Kenya

Women in Kiambu and Embu are having fewer children than those in most other parts of Kenya, according to new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

The survey, which covered women aged 14 to 49 across nearly 30,000 households, points to a continued decline in fertility rates across the country, with the lowest figures recorded in parts of Central Kenya.

Women in Kiambu and Embu have an average of two children, compared with much higher fertility rates in counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and Turkana. Mandera records an average of about seven children per woman.

Experts attribute the trend in Kiambu and Embu to several factors, including the rising cost of living, urbanisation and the high cost of raising and educating children.

Access to education, employment and family planning services has also influenced decisions about family size. More women are pursuing higher education and careers, while some couples are choosing to have children later or limit the number of children they raise.

The survey also shows a difference between rural and urban areas. Rural women have an average of four children, compared with three among women in urban areas.

In another finding, teenage pregnancy among girls aged 15 to 19 declined to 11.9 per cent, down from 14.8 per cent in 2022.

The figures point to changing family patterns across Kenya, although fertility levels remain significantly different from one county to another.

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