Increase in Mobile and Internet Accessibility in Kenya, Yet the Digital Gap Remains Pervasive
The Communications Authority of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics have recently released a joint report on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) uptake in Kenya. The report, based on the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey, reveals significant digital inclusion disparities between urban and rural communities and among income groups in the country.
Key findings include:
- Mobile phone ownership exists in 53.7% of Kenyans aged three and above, but with a marked urban-rural gap: 64.6% in urban areas versus 48.6% in rural areas.
- Internet use stands at 35% nationally, but varies widely—from 64.7% in Nairobi to just 9.1% in rural counties like West Pokot.
- Income, education, and access to reliable electricity are strongly linked to ICT adoption; lower-income groups and those with limited schooling experience greater digital exclusion.
The report also highlights the fact that a portion of the population uses mobile services through shared arrangements, pointing towards underlying inequalities in digital inclusion.
Youth aged 18-34 lead digital adoption with over 80% owning mobile phones and 58.6% using the Internet, showing generational differences in uptake. Internet penetration is roughly 57% in urban areas versus only about 25% in rural areas; computer access and mobile ownership follow similar patterns, underscoring the rural disadvantage.
In terms of mobile phone ownership, Muranga and Kiambu are in the top five with rates of 62.3% and 62.1% respectively. Kiambu County has the second-highest Internet usage rate at 54.0%.
The report emphasizes the need for targeted investment in digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity, digital literacy, and inclusive policies to promote digital inclusion. Kirinyaga has the second-highest mobile phone ownership rate at 65.0%.
It's worth noting that the report indicates a minimal gender gap in mobile ownership, with males at 54.5% and females at 52.9%. However, 11.3% of individuals reported using a mobile phone without owning one, with a slightly higher proportion among females (11.5%).
Adoption of smart home technologies remains limited in Kenya. The digital divide hinders equitable national development and highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions such as digital literacy programs, infrastructure investment, and policy frameworks to bridge urban-rural and income gaps, in line with Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.
[1] Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda: https://www.go.ke/bottom-up-economic-transformation-agenda/ [2] Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- The report suggests that targeted investment in digital infrastructure, such as affordable connectivity and inclusive policies, is necessary to promote digital inclusion in Kenya.
- Despite a minimal gender gap in mobile ownership, there is a notable difference in individuals who reported using a mobile phone without owning one, with slightly more females using shared mobile services.
- The report underscores the importance of digital literacy programs and infrastructure investment, as well as adherence to policy frameworks, to bridge the digital divide and promote equitable national development in line with Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals. [1] Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda: https://www.go.ke/bottom-up-economic-transformation-agenda/ [2] Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
