Kenya’s ambition to become a digitally inclusive nation, as envisioned in its Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), faces a formidable challenge: a stark urban-rural digital divide.
The Analytical Report on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Based on the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey (KHS) reveals significant disparities in ICT ownership and usage between urban and rural areas, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to bridge this gap.
The report released on Monday is a result of a collaboration between the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The report, based on data collected from over 25,000 households across Kenya’s 47 counties between March and May 2024, paints a picture of uneven progress in digital inclusion.
While mobile phone ownership and usage are nearly universal, with 53.7 per cent of individuals owning a mobile phone and 64.9 per cent using one, the uptake of internet, computers, and smart technologies lags significantly, particularly in rural areas.
This divide, driven by differences in infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy, threatens to exclude rural populations from the economic and social opportunities afforded by digital technologies.
Mobile Phones: A Near-Universal Tool, But Not Enough
Mobile phones have become a cornerstone of connectivity in Kenya, with 93.8 per cent of households reporting at least one member owning a mobile phone. However, ownership is notably higher in urban areas (64.6 per cent) compared to rural areas (48.6 per cent).
Usage follows a similar trend, with 76.4 per cent of urban individuals using mobile phones compared to 59.6 per cent in rural areas. Among youths aged 18-34, the gap persists: 91.4 per cent of urban youths own mobile phones, while only 75.8 per cent of their rural counterparts do.
This disparity highlights the role of mobile phones as a primary gateway to digital services, particularly in rural areas where other ICT infrastructure is scarce.
Yet, mobile phone access alone is insufficient to ensure meaningful digital inclusion, as advanced services like internet access and computer usage require additional resources that remain out of reach for many rural residents.
Internet Access: A Tale of Two Kenyas
Internet usage, an enabler of access to information, education, and economic opportunities, stands at 35 per cent nationally but reveals a stark urban-rural divide.
In urban areas, 56.6 per cent of individuals use the internet, compared to just 25.0 per cent in rural areas. For youths, the gap is even more pronounced: 78.7 per cent of urban youths access the internet, while only 46.7 per cent of rural youths do.
At the household level, 54.1 per cent of urban households have internet connections, compared to a mere 25.1 per cent in rural areas.
Nairobi City County leads with 64.7 per cent internet usage, while counties like West Pokot (9.1 per cent) and Turkana (12.7 per cent) lag far behind, reflecting regional disparities in infrastructure and affordability.
Fixed internet, which offers more reliable and faster connectivity, is particularly scarce in rural areas, with only 0.6 per cent of rural households connected compared to 17.3 per cent in urban areas. Mobile internet, while more prevalent, still reaches only 24.9 per cent of rural households compared to 50.6 per cent in urban ones.
Computer Usage: A Privilege of the Urban Elite
Computer usage remains a luxury in Kenya, with only 11.6 per cent of individuals aged 3 and above reporting use. The urban-rural divide is glaring: 20.9 per cent of urban individuals use computers, compared to just 7.3 per cent in rural areas.
Among youths, the disparity is similar, with 30.0 per cent of urban youths using computers compared to 13.9 per cent in rural areas. At the household level, 17.9 per cent of urban households own computers, while only three per cent of rural households do.
Education levels further exacerbate this divide. Individuals with higher education report 55.9 per cent computer usage, while those with no education report nil per cent. This correlation between education and computer use underscores the role of digital literacy, which is often more accessible in urban areas with better educational facilities.
The adoption of smart technologies, such as smart lighting, security systems, and CCTV, is still in its infancy in Kenya and is largely confined to wealthier urban households. Nationally, only 2 per cent of households have smart security systems, with urban households (4.2 per cent) far outpacing rural ones (0.6 per cent).
Maisonettes and flats/apartments, typically found in urban areas, report the highest adoption rates, with 26.4 per cent of maisonette households using smart security systems and 67.9 per cent having internet connectivity. In contrast, shanties and traditional houses (manyattas), common in rural areas, show near-zero uptake.
Income plays a significant role in this disparity. Households in the highest income quintile report 24.1 per cent fixed internet access and 28.1 per cent computer ownership, compared to just one per cent and 1.9 per cent in the lowest quintile.
Smart technology adoption follows suit, with 7.7 per cent of high-income households using smart security systems compared to 0.3 per cent in the lowest quintile.
Housing tenure also influences ICT uptake. Households that pay rent or lease, often in urban areas, report the highest internet connectivity (54.7 per cent) and computer ownership (17.5 per cent).
In contrast, squatter households, more common in rural areas, have only 3.8 per cent internet access and 0.5 per cent computer ownership. Access to electricity, a prerequisite for many ICTs, further widens the gap, with urban households more likely to have reliable power supply.
Policy Implications: Bridging the Divide
The 2023/24 KHS findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address Kenya’s digital divide. Expanding rural ICT infrastructure, particularly for fixed and mobile internet, is critical to improving access.
Affordable internet plans and devices, coupled with digital literacy programs, could empower rural populations, especially youths and low-income households. Additionally, policies promoting electricity access and modern housing in rural areas could facilitate greater ICT uptake.
The report aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and global commitments like the SDGs, which emphasise equitable access to technology.
Collaboration between government agencies, private sector players, and international partners, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), will be essential to drive these efforts.
Kenya’s digital landscape reflects both progress and persistent challenges. While mobile phones have democratised basic connectivity, the limited uptake of internet, computers, and smart technologies in rural areas risks leaving millions behind in the digital age.
As Kenya strives for inclusive growth, closing the urban-rural digital divide must be a priority to ensure all citizens can harness the transformative power of ICTs. Without concerted action, the promise of a connected Kenya will remain an urban privilege, leaving rural communities on the wrong side of the digital divide.
