Only 35% of Kenyans use the internet, with rural areas significantly lagging urban centres As Kenya races to position itself as East Africa’s artificial intelligence and digital innovation hub, a growing infrastructure gap in rural and peri-urban schools is threatening to lock millions of learners out of the country’s future economy.
The issue came into focus during a Rotary International conference in Naivasha this week, as Rotarians convene for its annual conference. Rotary International president-elect Yinka Babalola warned that digital literacy is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for economic participation, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes labour markets and business operations globally.
“Generations of students will pass through that school and pick up these skills,” he said during the conference, arguing that early digital exposure could inspire more learners into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. Speaking when the club unveiled a $40,000 (Sh5.2 million) digital laboratory for a Mirera Primary School with nearly 4,000 learners, he noted that private sector players will need to step in as traditional CSR initiatives change.
“When you connect students to digital literacy. That helps improve their critical thinking skills, their problem-solving skills, and equips them for careers in science, technology, even arts and mathematics. It allows them to progress in those kinds of ideas,” added district governor for region 9212 region Wairimu Njage.
Kenya’s public schools have been facing pressure to provide ICT equipment to learners on rising capitation challenges. Yet data shows that access to digital infrastructure remains deeply unequal across Kenya. According to a joint survey by the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, only 35 per cent of Kenyans use the internet, with rural areas significantly lagging urban centres.
Computer usage in rural Kenya stands at just 7.3 per cent compared to over 20 per cent in urban areas. The disparities are most severe in marginalised counties such as Turkana, West Pokot, Marsabit and Tana River, where internet usage rates remain below 17 per cent.
That divide is increasingly becoming an economic concern rather than just an education challenge.