Namanga's economy has been heavily dependent on tourism since 2004 as tourists visiting the nearby Amboseli National Park passed through the town from Nairobi (183 kilometers to the north).

With the recent investment by the financial institutions and the completion of the great north road, the town has grown economical especially in its infrastructure.

This development has increased transport activities from the area as it triggered more importation of commodities from Tanzania to Kenya as it is assumed to be cheaper.

Its main population is from the Maasai community who occupy most of the parts in Namanga.

The rest of the population is occupied by other ethnicity groups which include the Kamba, the Cushites who are Somalis, Borana and many other more communities.