A new national survey has revealed a surprising digital disconnect in parts of Kenya, where high mobile phone ownership does not necessarily translate into equally high internet use.The 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) shows that Kiambu County, where 62.1 per cent of individuals own a mobile phone, trails significantly in internet usage at just 54 per cent far behind Nairobi’s 64.7 per cent despite the capital’s comparable phone penetration rate.“High ownership rates in counties like Kiambu show that mobile devices are within reach for most residents, but factors such as the cost of data, quality of network coverage, and digital skills gaps limit the extent to which these devices are used for internet access,” the survey observes.
Nationally, mobile phone ownership is nearly universal, with 93.8 per cent of households reporting at least one device. The rate is even higher in urban areas at 97.6 per cent, compared to 91.4 per cent in rural areas.But when it comes to internet use, only 35 per cent of individuals are online, a figure that exposes the gap between potential and actual connectivity.
Internet usage by counties
The county breakdown underscores the disparities. According to the report, Nairobi leads in internet use at 64.7 per cent, followed by Kiambu at 54 per cent and Nyeri at 50.1 per cent. At the other end of the scale, West Pokot records just 9.1 per cent internet usage, with Turkana 12.7 per cent and Tana River 15.5 per cent also among the lowest.The study says this mismatch in places like Kiambu could be linked to the cost of mobile data, the quality of local network infrastructure, and varying levels of digital literacy.
“The evidence suggests that while device access is widespread, barriers remain in translating ownership into meaningful online engagement,” the survey states.
The age profile of internet users also offers insight. Those aged 25–34 record the highest usage at 59.3 per cent, while only 4.4 per cent of people aged 85 and above are connected. This generational skew suggests that older residents, even in counties with high device penetration, may not be making full use of their phones’ internet capabilities.The findings call for targeted policy action, including affordable data plans, rural broadband investment, and community-based training programmes.KNBS says without such measures, analysts warn, counties like Kiambu risk falling short of their digital potential, even as their residents continue to lead in phone ownership.“The challenge now is ensuring that mobile access leads to real digital inclusion for all,’ the report says.
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