Nakuru County is a multi-cultural county with individuals originating from all the Kenya chief tribes. According to the 2009 census, Nakuru County is said to have a population of 1, 603,325 individuals with majority being male (50.2%) and female are said to be 49.8% of the population.
The leading tribes are the Kalenjin and the Kikuyu making around 70% of the entire population. Other tribes for example Kamba, Meru, Luhyia, Luo, among others are present mostly in urban area.
Trade business, rearing of livestock and farming are the main activities for the Kalenjin and the Kikuyu. Others communities are there in search of employment and for business purpose and the government being the principal employer.
Nakuru County is a hotbed of politics in Kenya. Most of the local veteran politicians from Nakuru County includes, the Late Kihika Kimani, his daughter Susan Kihika, Kariuki Chotara, the late Mirugi Kariuki, Koigi Wamwere, Kinuthia Mbugua, David Gikaria, Arama Samuel , Onesmas Ngunjiri, Kipruto Moi, Nelson Gaicuhie, Moses Cheboi, Zakayo Cheruiyot, Samuel Ndiritu, John Kihagi, Joseph Kiuna and Jacob Macharia among others.
The current Governor of Nakuru County is Lee Kinyanjui who defeated his counterpart Kinuthia Mbugua during the 2017 general elections.