Kenya’s tech dream: Unmet promises of digital access 

Kenya has long been regarded as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, celebrated worldwide for its tech startups, mobile money innovation, and growing digital economy. In 2024, the government allocated Ksh16.3 billion for ICT development, with President William Ruto promising ICT hubs in every ward.  

In the 2025/2026 financial year, an additional Ksh12.7 billion was allocated for digital transformation under the flagship Digital Superhighway initiative.

However, in areas like Kibera, one of the country’s largest informal settlements, this revolution seems more like a distant mirage than a lived reality.  

Here, residents still grapple with basic issues: erratic electricity, patchy internet, unaffordable data bundles, and a yawning digital skills gap.  

Worldcoin flashpoint  

The digital revolution has not arrived evenly, and for millions, it may never come unless structural barriers are addressed.  

The digital divide in Kenya was starkly illustrated in 2023 during the controversial rollout of Worldcoin. Tools for Humanity, the company behind the project, scanned the irises of thousands of Kenyans — many from low-income areas like Kibera — in exchange for the promise of cryptocurrency worth around Ksh7,000.

The trade-off? Highly sensitive biometric data is collected without adequate safeguards or public awareness.  

Civil society, technologists, and privacy advocates decried the scheme. Two years later, a watershed legal decision finally brought accountability:

On May 5, 2025, Kenya’s High Court ruled that Worldcoin had violated the Data Protection Act by collecting and transferring biometric data without the consent of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). The court ordered the deletion of all data collected from Kenyans.  

The judgment followed a case filed by Katiba Institute, which argued that Worldcoin failed to conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment and used financial inducement to obtain consent.

In response, the ODPC published draft guidelines in May 2025 requiring that any organisation processing biometric data must now register with the agency and justify the necessity of such data collection.  

But many question whether these new rules will be effectively enforced, or if they arrived too late to prevent exploitation.  

Who benefits?  

From the Ksh12.7 billion earmarked for ICT in the 2025/2026 budget, Ksh5.2 billion is allocated to the Konza Data Centre and Smart City; Ksh2.8 billion to the Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project; and another Ksh2.8 billion to the Last Mile County Connectivity Network.  

Yet, people in informal settlements and rural areas continue to struggle with access.  

Dr Grace Githaiga, CEO of KICTANet, a multi-stakeholder think tank for ICT policy, says the digital revolution has indeed uplifted parts of Kenya’s urban youth.  

“The youth are earning from online gigs, and fintech has enabled people to start businesses. Services on eCitizen have streamlined government processes,” she said.  

She’s, however, quick to point out the disparity: “In places like Mathare or Kibera, some still don’t have power. Even when people own smartphones, they can’t keep them charged.”  

Internet access remains inconsistent, and some must climb trees or stand near specific areas to catch a signal.  

“Even light rains disrupt connectivity. Bundles remain unaffordable for many — one woman in Mathare asked me, ‘Should I buy food or bundles?’” Githaiga added. 

Digital literacy is another major hurdle. Despite KICTANet training 600,000 people in Busia and Mandera, Githaiga said many couldn’t consistently attend due to transport costs or caregiving responsibilities. 

“Programmes need to be holistic. Without food, childcare, or transportation support, many people just can’t participate.”  

Policy vs reality  

Although the Communications Authority of Kenya launched a Sh40 billion Universal Service Fund (USF) strategy (2023–2027) to bridge the digital divide, challenges persist. Some equipment installed in underserved regions has been destroyed by floods or attacked, particularly in northern Kenya.

Maintenance is poor, and locations prioritised for rollout often lack critical infrastructure like power.  

“There are gaps in data protection, awareness, and digital skills policy,” Githaiga added, “Even where policies exist, implementation and enforcement are still weak.”  

On May 30, 2025, public consultation closed on the ODPC’s new guidelines for protecting biometric data — a step towards regulation.

However, many question whether these safeguards will be enough or if they can be operationalised quickly enough to prevent the next wave of exploitation.  

The numbers 

According to Paradigm Initiative’s 2024 Digital Rights and Inclusion in Africa Report (Londa), Nairobi has over 80 per cent internet penetration — but in some rural counties, it’s just 20 per cent. 

Communications Manager Judith Ogutu noted that urban youth are reaping the benefits of connectivity — working, socialising, and accessing opportunities, but rural areas and informal settlements are being left behind. Women and individuals with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.  

“Women remain underrepresented in digital job markets, especially in leadership. People with disabilities face outdated stereotypes and a lack of accessible technologies,” Ogutu said.  

The Londa Report also noted that no public data is available to track the USF’s expenditure, raising accountability concerns.  

Are ICT hubs working?  

The government’s promise to build ICT hubs in every ward is far from being fulfilled. Where hubs exist, they often lack staffing, stable electricity, or are too costly to operate. Only about 13 of Kenya’s 15–20 community networks are licensed by the Communications Authority.  

Hawi Rapudo, who runs Kijiji Yeetu in Ugunja, Siaya County, supports schools and hospitals by offering affordable internet. His organisation charges Ksh10 per hour for 10 Mbps; schools pay Ksh1,000 per month. “We teach safe and responsible digital use,” he said.  

Still, the cost of infrastructure remains steep.  

“One kilometre of fibre costs Ksh7,000. Connecting a single school costs Ksh25,000. Power blackouts are frequent. Running cables along Kenya Power poles is expensive and requires annual licensing,” Rapudo added.  

The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) emphasises digital learning, but without electricity or connectivity, students fall behind. 

“Solar energy could be a viable alternative,” he suggested.  

Stopgap civil society solutions  

With government efforts faltering, NGOs and community-led initiatives are filling the gaps. Paradigm Initiative’s Life Legacy programme helps African youth build digital livelihoods and understand their rights online.

KICTANet has also recently launched the National Digital Literacy Skills Curriculum, targeting youth, women, and people in informal settlements or with disabilities.  

However, sustainability remains a major concern. Many initiatives rely on short-term donor funding or struggle with high operating costs. Without long-term government backing or private sector investment, digital inclusion efforts remain patchy.  

Safe digital future  

The Worldcoin saga highlights why digital safety, literacy, and informed consent must be foundational to Kenya’s digital future. Githaiga warns that unless the public is educated about data rights and digital safety, exploitation will persist.  

“People need to understand what they’re signing up for,” she said. “It’s not just about access — it’s about agency. If we don’t empower the most vulnerable to participate meaningfully in the digital economy, we risk building a digital future on exclusion.”  

Reached for comment, the Communications Authority did not respond.  

Ubuntu, inclusion, and way forward  

At the 2025 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF) in Lusaka, the conference theme — “Promoting Digital Ubuntu” — called for inclusion, accountability, and justice in how technology is deployed.

Kenya’s case highlights both the possibilities and pitfalls of rapid digitalisation.  

Tech experts and civil society organisations agree that there is no doubt Kenya’s tech ecosystem has transformed lives; however, these gains remain concentrated in urban centres and among the digitally literate. To truly become Africa’s Silicon Savannah, Kenya must  

invest not only in fibre optics and smart cities but also in its people—particularly those in Kibera, Mathare, Mandera, and Ugunja.  

Without an intentional, equity-driven approach, the digital divide will deepen. And the promise of a digital revolution will remain just that — a promise.