Social media has emerged as the dominant source of news in Kenya, overtaking traditional platforms such as television and radio, according to a recent nationwide survey by the Media Council of Kenya.
The study shows that 39 per cent of respondents now rely primarily on social media for news consumption, compared to 31 per cent who prefer television and 19 per cent who depend on radio. In total, nearly three-quarters of the population access news through digital or social platforms, signalling a significant transformation in media consumption habits across the country.
Conducted between April 15 and April 23, 2026, the survey sampled 3,774 individuals aged 15 and above across all 47 counties in Kenya, using a nationally representative methodology. The findings reflect a clear shift towards mobile-driven and internet-based news access, with mobile phones accounting for 91 per cent of social media usage.
Brandspur Marketing & Media News Desk reports that weekly media usage patterns further reinforce this trend, with social media slightly ahead at 27 per cent, compared to television at 25 per cent and radio at 19 per cent. Meanwhile, print media continues to lose ground, with newspaper readership dropping sharply to 13 per cent in 2025, down from 20 per cent in 2024 and 26 per cent in 2023.
Despite the decline in traditional platforms, television remains relevant, particularly during prime-time hours between 7pm and 10pm. Citizen TV retains its position as the most-watched station, while Radio Citizen leads in radio listenership.
Among print outlets, Daily Nation continues to dominate readership rankings, followed by The Standard and Taifa Leo, although much of their audience now engages through digital editions rather than physical copies.
Online news platforms are also gaining traction among the 45 per cent of Kenyans who visit news websites, with Tuko.co.ke leading in daily reach, followed by Citizen Digital, Standardmedia.co.ke and Nation.Africa. However, more than half of the population still does not access news through dedicated websites, relying instead on social platforms as their primary gateway.
Messaging and social networking applications remain central to this shift, with WhatsApp and Facebook leading usage, while platforms such as TikTok and YouTube continue to expand their influence among younger audiences.
The survey also highlights growing public confidence in the media, with trust levels rising to 79 per cent in 2025, up from 74.5 per cent the previous year. Over half of respondents believe the media provides fair coverage of government activities.
However, concerns persist around misinformation, inadequate reporting on key issues, and perceived bias. The increasing integration of artificial intelligence in media production has added another layer of complexity, with many respondents unable to distinguish between human-generated and AI-generated content.
Speaking on the findings, David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya, noted that the country’s media landscape has entered a new phase, where digital platforms now shape public discourse, raising urgent questions around regulation, ethics, and accountability.
