Southern Somalia, coastal Kenya (including R Tana inland to Garissa) and north-eastern Tanzania (south to about Dar es Salaam, west to western Usambara Mts, possibly also at eastern Mt Kilimanjaro).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Mombasa Woodpecker (Campethera mombassica) [XC154796]
by Peter Boesman from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya (song)
Mombasa Woodpecker (Campethera mombassica) [XC456787]
by Hans Matheve from Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya (song)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) and Knysna Woodpecker (Campethera notata). Often treated as conspecific with Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni), but differs in plumage and vocalizations. Apparent hybrid individuals with appearance intermediate between subspecies suahelica of Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) and present species recorded from east-central Tanzania and from just south of Mt Kilimanjaro. Further study is required.