5 Smallest Tribes in Kenya You Didn’t Know About

5 Smallest Tribes in Kenya You Didn’t Know About

As Kenya prepares to hold its census in August 2019, all eyes will be on the big ethnic groups that tilt arithmetic during the general elections. However, there are 5 smallest tribes that need attention of the government, researchers and tourism lovers.

El Molo

El Molo Village Near Lake Turkana

When Samuel Teleki and Lt Von Hohnel the first Europeans who visited the area came across this community in 1888, they described it as a group of people “living entirely on fish, crocodiles and hippopotamus meat.”  At that time the population was about 200-300 people.

This small fishing tribe lives in two villages on the shores of Lake Turkana. The number of El Molo is largely unknown even by the Kenya government. The 2009 national census did not provide their numbers as it was negligible. However community elders estimate that the number may be between 600 to 700 people.

In 2002, Kaayo Lepolot, the last person to know the native El Molo language died; dealing a big blow to the continuity of the culture, customs and beliefs of the community. But despite the adversity and danger of extinction facing them, the El Molo people soldier on.

The Konso

The Konso tribe is also known as Xonsita. The tribe comprises Cushitic speaking members and inhabit Kenya’s Rift Valley region near the Ethiopia border. It has a population of 1,758 people according to the 2009 population census.

The Shona

Back in Zimbabwe where they came from, the Shona is a large tribe numbering about 11 million people. They have ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, through former President Robert Mugabe and current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, “The Crocodile”.

The  Shona Community in Kenya

Here in Kenya, the Shona number only 4,500 people living in Kinoo, Kiambaa, and other parts of Kiambu County. The community arrived in Nairobi in 1961, initially as 100 Christian missionaries.

When the British colonialists left after independence, the Great Britain passports they had used to come to the country could not be used again after independence. This left them trying to seek citizenship in Kenya.

Although the Shona have remained stateless and lacked critical documents such as birth certificates, passports or ID cards, the government of President Kenyatta has starting issuing them with birth certificates.

The Makonde

Originally from Mozambique, the Makonde were recently recognized as Kenyan citizens. They are now the 43 tribe of Kenya. Their forefathers came from Mozambique and arrived in Kenya through Tanzania in the 1930’s to work in sisal plantations for the British.

The Makonde Tribe in Kenya

Their population is about 2,200 people, living mainly in Kwale County, Kenya. The Makonde are known for carving wood, a skill they inherited from their forefathers.

On Thursday 13 October 2016, a group of 300 Makonde people trekked from Kwale to Nairobi to persuade President Uhuru Kenyatta to issue them with ID cards. The effort paid when the government issued over 1,076 Makonde with ID cards in early February 2017.

The Isaak

The Isaak tribe, whose population is 3,160 people according to the 2009 population census compete our list of six smallest tribes in Kenya. It is one of the Somali speaking tribes of Kenya with rich culture and traditions.

The Isaak and Herti were urban Somalis from British Somaliland. Their homeland is situated on the shores of the Arabian sea and on the main shipping route to Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. They were the first Somalis to come into contact with the European explorers. The British employed them as interpreters in Jubaland and Kenya protectorates.