NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 4 – Counties around the Lake Victoria region—Siaya and Kisumu—record the highest newspaper readership in the country, according to a new report by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
The Audience Measurement and Industry Trends Report shows that the Lake region recorded a newspaper readership rate of 22 percent in the first quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
Lower Eastern—which includes Ukambani counties such as Kitui and Machakos—also posted a newspaper readership rate of 22 percent, followed by South Nyanza, which includes Kisii County.
However, the report shows that newspaper readership remains lowest in the Coast region at 11 percent and North Western Kenya at 16 percent.
Newspaper usage in Kenya has declined in recent years due to the rapid growth of the internet and digital platforms, which have made it easier and cheaper for Kenyans to access news through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and X.
The rise of online platforms has also pushed traditional newspaper publishers to expand into digital products such as e-papers, further reducing the market share of physical newspapers.
CA data further shows that radio and television remain the most widely used media platforms in Kenya, with a national usage rate of 73 percent.
The highest radio and television usage was recorded in Western (84 percent), Lower Eastern (83 percent), Lake (83 percent) and Rift Valley (82 percent).
“Television viewership peaked in Nairobi at 81 per cent and Upper Eastern at 80 per cent, with strong performance also recorded in Central at 78 per cent and the Lake region at 79 per cent, driven by better infrastructure and access,” the report said.
“Internet access remained highest in Nairobi at 80 per cent, followed by North Eastern at 76 per cent, reflecting continued growth in digital engagement.”
The report added that while newspaper readership was highest in Lake and Lower Eastern regions at 22 per cent, magazine readership remained low nationwide, with Lower Eastern recording 12 per cent and the Lake region 9 per cent.
