- Nairobi leads Kenya in internet use, while West Pokot trails far behind.
- Rural communities face wider gaps in connectivity, devices and digital skills.
- Experts warn the digital divide could deepen inequalities in education and jobs.
Kenya’s digital divide has widened sharply, with new county level data showing Nairobi is the most connected county while West Pokot remains the least, a gap of more than 55 percentage points.
The figures come from the ICT Analytical Report, based on the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey. It was conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in partnership with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). Researchers surveyed more than 25,000 households across all 47 counties between March and May 2024.
A stark ranking
According to the report, 64.7 per cent of people aged three and above in Nairobi had used the internet in the three months before the survey. Kiambu followed at 54.0 per cent, and Nyeri came third at 50.1 per cent.
At the bottom, West Pokot recorded just 9.1 per cent, less than one sixth of Nairobi’s rate and well below the national average of 35.0 per cent.
The urban rural split is just as telling. Internet use stood at 56.6 per cent in urban areas, compared with only 25.0 per cent in rural areas. Because the internet now underpins education, employment, entrepreneurship and access to government services, this gap has consequences well beyond entertainment or social media.
Why this matters for learners
Children in highly connected counties are more likely to reach online learning platforms, digital research tools and other technology based resources. Learners in poorly connected areas may struggle to access the same opportunities.
As Competency-Based Education (CBE) increasingly relies on technology, research and collaboration, this divide risks becoming an education divide too.
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The disparity extends to devices. Only 11.6 per cent of Kenyans used a computer during the survey period, and just 8.8 per cent of households owned one. However, mobile phone ownership told a different story: 93.8 per cent of households owned a mobile phone.
This contrast carries a lesson. Owning a phone does not guarantee meaningful digital inclusion. A household may have a smartphone yet still face expensive data, weak network coverage, unreliable electricity or limited digital skills.
Beyond West Pokot
Other counties near the bottom of the ranking, including Turkana, Tana River, Marsabit, Garissa, Vihiga and Samburu, show a similar pattern of weak digital participation. For these communities, closing the divide will require investment in infrastructure, affordable connectivity and digital skills, not simply more mobile devices.
Young people seeking jobs increasingly depend on online platforms. Farmers use digital services for market and weather information, and citizens are turning to electronic channels for public services. Where connectivity remains weak, these opportunities are harder to reach.
A dual challenge
Kenya therefore faces two related tasks. The first is expanding physical connectivity to underserved counties. The second, arguably more important, is ensuring people have the skills and resources to use that connectivity productively. This makes digital literacy an essential part of education and workforce preparation, alongside continuous teacher training and properly maintained school infrastructure.
For policymakers, the real question is no longer how many Kenyans are online, but what they can do once they get there.
Nairobi’s lead and West Pokot’s position at the bottom illustrate how unevenly Kenya’s digital transformation has spread. Its ultimate success will depend not on how far the capital advances, but on how quickly the least connected counties can close the gap.
By Hillary Muhalya
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