Kenya’s Internet use is rising steadily, led mainly by young adults in urban areas, but large disparities remain across counties and economic sectors.

The latest data from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that while 35 percent of the national population now use the Internet, access varies widely by age, location, and occupation.

The report reveals that young people aged 25 to 34, often called Zillennials, have the highest Internet usage rate at 59.3 percent. This group benefits from a stronger financial position and the need to use digital tools for work.

Millennials aged 35 to 44 follow closely, with 47.1 percent online, slightly ahead of the Gen Z group aged 15 to 24, which has a usage rate of 46.6 percent.

Geography plays a major role in Internet access. Nairobi City County tops the list with 64.7 percent of residents using the Internet.

In contrast, counties such as West Pokot and Turkana report some of the lowest rates, at 9.1 percent and 12.7 percent respectively.

Economic activity also influences online participation. Informal sector workers show higher Internet usage , 54.6 percent in the Jua Kali sector and 48.1 percent among self-employed informal workers.

However, access drops significantly among those in small-scale agriculture (25.5 percent), pastoralism (10.8 percent), and private household work (38.2 percent).

Overall, Internet use has increased from 22.7 percent in 2019, reflecting broader digital adoption across the country. Men lead women in usage rates, with 37.8 percent of men online compared to 32.2 percent of women.

Despite growth in numbers, concerns remain about the quality of Kenya’s Internet services.

A study by cybersecurity company Surfshark shows the country’s digital quality of life index fell to 0.37 in 2024 from 0.42 in 2023,  its lowest score in four years. Kenya’s global ranking dropped 13 places to 89th out of 121 countries assessed.

“The quality of Internet connectivity greatly depends on its speed and stability,” Surfshark said in its report. The findings highlight the need to improve digital infrastructure and service reliability to keep pace with growing demand.