Kenyan Men Continually Outpace Women in Internet Use, KNBS Survey Reveals
A new survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that men across all age groups in Kenya continue to outpace women in internet usage, highlighting a persistent digital gender divide. The findings show that nationally, about 63.5% of men use the internet daily, a figure consistently higher than that of women, with the gap evident in both urban and rural areas.
In urban settings, 77% of men report daily internet use compared to 70% of women. The disparity is slightly narrower in rural areas but still present, with 58% of men and 53% of women going online daily. Interestingly, when it comes to weekly internet access in rural regions, more women (28.5%) than men (20.1%) reported going online at least once a week, suggesting a difference in frequency rather than complete exclusion.
The divide is also visible across age groups. Among young adults aged 25 to 34—often considered the most tech-savvy demographic—73.9% of men are daily internet users compared to 65.4% of women. Regionally, Nairobi records the highest online engagement for both genders, while remote counties like Mandera and Turkana lag far behind.
While mobile phone ownership in Kenya is close to gender parity, with only a 1% gap, women are still about 35% less likely than men to use mobile internet. This suggests that barriers such as the cost of devices, high data prices, limited digital literacy, and safety concerns play a bigger role than access to the technology itself. These challenges are especially pronounced in rural areas, where inadequate infrastructure and social norms further restrict women’s connectivity.
On the positive side, targeted initiatives are emerging to address these disparities. Digital literacy programs, cyber safety awareness campaigns, and projects aimed at making smartphones and data plans more affordable for women are being rolled out. Experts believe that bridging this divide will not only empower women socially and economically but also strengthen Kenya’s overall digital transformation.
The KNBS report serves as a reminder that while Kenya has made strides in mobile access, ensuring equal and meaningful participation for women in the digital space remains an urgent priority. Without focused intervention, the gender gap risks reinforcing existing inequalities, leaving women behind in education, business, and civic participation in an increasingly digital world.
