Nyanza | |
|---|---|
 Location in Kenya. | |
| Coordinates: 0°30′S 34°40′E / 0.500°S 34.667°E | |
| Country |  Kenya |
| Capital | Kisumu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12,477.1 km2 (4,817.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2009 Census) | |
| • Total | 5,442,711 |
| • Density | 440/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Nyanza Province (Kenyan English: [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.