By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, May 04, 2026 - Social media has officially become the leading source of news for Kenyans, marking a major shift in the country’s media landscape and reshaping how information is consumed, shared, and trusted.
A new report by the Media Council of Kenya shows that 39 percent of Kenyans now rely on social media platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok for news, placing it ahead of traditional outlets.
Television follows at 31 percent, while radio accounts for 21 percent, signalling a clear decline in the dominance of legacy media.
The report, released to coincide with World Press Freedom Day, underscores how rapidly digital consumption is reshaping the information ecosystem.
In a stark assessment of this transition, the report notes that “digital consumption is no longer growing alongside broadcast; it is growing at its expense,” highlighting the extent to which online platforms are displacing traditional channels.
This shift is being driven by several factors, chief among them the widespread adoption of smartphones, faster internet connectivity, and the personalised nature of content on social platforms.
With more than 26 million internet users in Kenya, digital access has expanded rapidly, allowing millions to receive real-time updates directly on their devices.
The impact on traditional media is already evident. Daily television viewership has dropped from 63 percent in 2024 to 57 percent in 2025, while radio listenership has also declined, reflecting changing audience habits.
Even so, legacy platforms remain influential, with stations like Citizen TV and Radio Citizen continuing to command large audiences, particularly among older demographics.
What sets social media apart is not just accessibility, but speed and interactivity. News now often breaks first on digital platforms, whether it is a road accident, political development, or weather alert, before being picked up by mainstream media.
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Users are no longer passive consumers, they actively engage by sharing, commenting, and reacting in real time, fundamentally altering the relationship between news producers and audiences.
The report also highlights the growing role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in shaping how news is consumed. About 34 percent of respondents said they use AI tools occasionally for news, while 27 percent use them regularly, pointing to a future where news discovery is increasingly automated and personalised.
However, this digital shift comes with significant challenges. The rise of user-generated content and the pressure to publish quickly have heightened concerns about misinformation and accuracy.
Unverified reports can spread rapidly, especially during breaking news events, sometimes outpacing corrections from credible sources.
This has raised questions about trust, regulation, and the responsibility of both platforms and users in maintaining information integrity.
Even with these concerns, the trajectory is clear. Social media is no longer just a complementary channel, it is now the primary gateway through which millions of Kenyans access news.
For media houses, this presents both a disruption and an opportunity: adapt to digital-first audiences or risk losing relevance in an increasingly fast-paced, algorithm-driven information economy.
In the broader context, Kenya’s shift mirrors a global trend where traditional media is steadily conceded by digital platforms.
But the speed at which this transition is happening locally underscores a deeper transformation, one that is redefining journalism, audience behaviour, and the future of news itself.