If you meet or spend time with a Kenyan, try learning about their background ask about their tribe, clan, and then go deeper into their sub-clans (and even further down the lineage if you can). We can start by focusing on the Bantu tribes first, and then move on to the Nilotic groups.
This is the kind of information I’ve been gathering through simple, conversations with people. Later on, when speaking to larger groups of Kenyans, we can expand these discussions to explore the political and historical side such as whether there have been past or ongoing tribal tensions, and how those dynamics are evolving today.
. Kikuyu (Agĩkũyũ)
Main regions: Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua
Traditional social structure: Based on nine (now ten) clans descended from the daughters of the founding ancestor Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi.
Clans:
Achera (Aitherandu)
Agaciku
Ambui
Angari
Anjiru
Angũi (Agaciku)
Airimu
Aithiegeni
Ethaga
Aicakamuyu (added later)
Sub-clans: Each clan splits further by lineage, family, and locality, e.g. “Anjiru a Nyeri”, “Ambui a Tetu”.
2. Luhya (Abaluhya)
Main regions: Western Kenya (Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia)
Structure: Confederation of 18 sub-tribes, each with clans.
Sub-tribes:
Bukusu
Maragoli
Wanga
Banyore
Idakho
Isukha
Kabras
Kisa
Marama
Samia
Tachoni
Tiriki
Batsotso
Nyala
Bunyala
Banyala
Batura
Saamia
Example (Bukusu):
Clans: Balunda, Bakibeti, Bakhone, Basakha, Bamusomi, etc.
Each Bukusu clan has several sub-clans (lineages) based on forefathers or villages.
3. Kamba (Akamba)
Main regions: Machakos, Kitui, Makueni
Clans:
The Akamba are divided into major clans called mbai, such as:
Amutei
Amuteo
Aombe
Amwilu
Amutei
Amuteo
Aombe
Each mbai is subdivided into sub-clans (mutanga), based on local descent lines.
4. Kisii (Abagusii)
Main region: Kisii and Nyamira
Clans:
Abagetutu
Abanyaribari
Abamachoge
Ababasi
Abanchari
Abanchari
Abagetutu
Each of these has sub-clans like Abagetutu-a-Mogirango, Abagetutu-a-Machongo, etc.
5. Mijikenda
Main region: Coastal counties (Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa)
Nine sub-tribes (literally “Nine Towns”):
Giriama
Digo
Chonyi
Kauma
Ribe
Rabai
Jibana
Kambe
Duruma
Each of these has lineage clans called mbari, often tied to ancestral settlements (e.g., Giriama clan: Mudzimuvya, Chonyi clan: Mwamwenga).
6. Meru and Embu
Regions: Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya
Meru Clans:
Imenti
Tigania
Igembe
Igoji
Mwimbi
Muthambi
Each group has clans like:
Njiru
M’Mbijiwe
M’Nkanata
Each clan further divides by nthaka (age-set) and local lineage.
7. Taita & Taveta
Region: Taita-Taveta County
Clans:
Wadawida (Taita) divided into clans like Wabura, Wakaimba, Wasagha.
Taveta has clans based on family names and totems, e.g., Wakwale, Watsagha.
Conversation Example (Luhya – Bukusu Tribe)
You: Hey, I’ve been learning about Kenya’s different tribes and their clan systems — can I ask which tribe you’re from?
Them: Sure, I’m Luhya.
You: That’s awesome. The Luhya have several sub-groups, right? Which one is yours?
Them: I’m from the Bukusu subgroup. Our family is originally from Bungoma County.
You: Oh, Bukusu! I’ve heard they have strong clan traditions. Which clan does your family belong to?
Them: We’re from the Balunda clan.
You: Interesting. Do you know your sub-clan or lineage within the Balunda?
Them: Yes, our sub-clan is called Bawele.
You: Nice. How many sub-clans are there under the Balunda clan altogether?
Them: There are about seven or eight sub-clans, though a few have merged over time. The main ones are Bawele,
Bamukhe,
Banyolo,
Bakhone,
Bakibeti,
Basakha,
Bamusomi,
and
Bamukele.
You: Wow, that’s quite a rich structure. Each sub-clan must have its own traditions too, right?
Them: Yeah, definitely. The Balunda are known for leadership and community gatherings. Some sub-clans have specific customs — for example, certain taboos or totems that they respect.
