NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 15 – Facebook and WhatsApp are the most used social media platforms among Kenyans, as they offer cheaper alternatives to communication than traditional voice and messaging services.
The latest Communications Authority of Kenya’s (CA’s) Audience Measurement and Industry Trends report shows that the two mediums control 45 percent of the country’s social media ecosystem.
They are trailed closely by YouTube and TikTok at the 3rd and 4th spots, respectively.
Since the invention of WhatsApp and Facebook, the two have disrupted outdated modes of communication, such as messages and calls, by offering cheaper services as well as wide location coverage.
“Unlike old-school broadcasting, digital platforms engage with viewers in real-time,” the CA report stated.
“Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok stand out as the top social media platforms in Kenya, due to their widespread adoption and influential presence in the Kenyan digital landscape,” it added.
According to the data, smartphones are the most prevalent mode of internet access, underscoring the pivotal role the devices are playing in facilitating connectivity and information access for a wide range of users.
Similarly, on internet user demographics, the capital Nairobi has topped the list in accessibility, followed by North-eastern, while South Nyanza records the lowest internet availability.
CAK has attributed the increased prevalence of internet access in Kenyan urban areas to well-established infrastructure, featuring a comprehensive network of high-speed broadband and cellular connectivity.
This comes in the wake of the government’s fast racking and rollout of Internet access in the country.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has previously rolled out free WiFi hotspots in urban areas across the country, an exercise that is still ongoing.
President William Ruto has previously indicated that his administration is keen on prioritizing the Digital Super Highway as a key driver for the country’s transformation, creation of jobs, and growth.
”In addition to fibre connectivity, new emerging connectivity solutions such as satellite will be considered,” he said earlier.
