NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 11 – Urban Kenyans are more likely to own smartphones than their rural counterparts, a new report reveals, highlighting persistent digital access gaps across the country.
A joint study by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that 53.7 percent of Kenyans aged three years and above own a mobile phone. Urban areas lead with 64.6 percent ownership, compared to 48.6 percent in rural regions.
Gender differences in mobile phone ownership are minimal, with 54.5 percent of men and 52.9 percent of women owning phones. Nationally, mobile usage stands at 64.9 percent, with slightly higher use among men (65.5 percent) than women (64.4 percent).
The report notes that 11.3 percent of Kenyans use mobile phones without owning one, with sharing more common in urban areas (11.8 percent) than rural ones. Internet penetration now stands at 35 percent nationally, with youth aged 18–34 leading digital adoption — over 80 percent own a phone and 58.6 percent use the Internet.
Ownership varies widely by county. Nairobi leads at 67.7 percent, followed by Kirinyaga (65 percent) and Nyandarua (63.9 percent). West Pokot records the lowest at 29 percent, followed by Turkana (29.4 percent) and Marsabit (34.8 percent).
Internet usage mirrors these disparities, with Nairobi topping the list at 64.7 percent, while West Pokot trails at just 9.1 percent.
Computer and smart technology uptake remains low at 11.6 percent nationally, with usage concentrated in urban, high-income households.
The CA and KNBS recommend targeted investment in digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity, and digital literacy to bridge these gaps in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Sustainable Development Goals.
