| Nyanza | |
| Settlement Type: | Former Province |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Kenya |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Kisumu |
| Area Total Km2: | 12,477.1 |
| Population As Of: | 2009 Census |
| Population Total: | 5,442,711 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | EAT |
| Utc Offset: | +3 |
| Coordinates: | -0.5°N 74°W |
Nyanza Province (pronounced as /ˈɲaːnzə/; Swahili: Mkoa wa Nyanza) was one of Kenya's eight administrative provinces before the formation of the 47 counties under the 2010 constitution. Six counties were organised in the area of the former province.
The region is located in the southwestern part of Kenya around Lake Victoria. It includes part of the eastern edge of the lake and is inhabited predominantly by the Luo people and Kisii people. There are also Bantu-speaking tribes, such as the Kuria, and some Luhya, living in the province. The province derives its name from Nyanza, a Bantu word which means a large mass of water.
The provincial capital was Kisumu, the third-largest city in Kenya. The province had a population of 4,392,196 at the 1999 census within an area of 16.162 km2, or 12.613 km2 of land.
The climate is tropical humid.
The following counties make up the area of the former Nyanza province:
| Code | County | Former Province | Area (km2) | Population Census 2009 | Capital | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Nyanza | 2,496.1 | 842,304 | Siaya | ||
| 42 | Nyanza | 2,009.5 | 968,909 | Kisumu | ||
| 43 | Nyanza | 3,154.7 | 963,794 | Homa Bay | ||
| 44 | Nyanza | 2,586.4 | 917,170 | Migori | ||
| 45 | Nyanza | 1,317.9 | 1,152,282 | Kisii | ||
| 46 | Nyanza | 912.5 | 598,252 | Nyamira | ||
| Totals | 12,477.1 | 5,442,711 |
Several new districts were created in 2007 in Kenya, also in Nyanza Province:[1]
| District | Capital | |
|---|---|---|
| Bondo | ||
| Nyansiongo | ||
| Ogembo | ||
| Homa Bay | ||
| Kisii | Kisii | |
| Kisumu East | Kisumu town | |
| Kisumu West | Hola | |
| Kuria West District | Kehancha | |
| Kuria East District | Kegonga | |
| Manga | ||
| Masaba | Keroka | |
| Migori | ||
| Nyamira | ||
| Awasi | ||
| Kosele | ||
| Rarieda | Madiany | |
| Rongo | Rongo | |
| Siaya | ||
| Sindo |
The predominant language in Nyanza is Dholuo, a Nilotic language and Ekegusii (Bantu Languages) whose origins are from South Sudan. It is spoken by the ethnic Luo.
Other languages include Luhya, Kuria, Suba and the national languages of English and Swahili. Other languages from the many Kenyan communities are also spoken in small pockets by migrants from these communities.