Nairobi, Kenya — May 9, 2026: Most Kenyans are now relying on social media platforms as their primary source of news, according to the 2025 State of the Media Report released by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).
The report, unveiled on Monday during commemorations of World Press Freedom Day 2026, found that 39% of Kenyans used social media as their preferred source of news in 2025.
TV and Radio Continue to Decline
According to the survey, television ranked second at 31%, while radio came third at 21%.
The report further showed that:
- 4% of Kenyans relied on family, friends, and colleagues for news updates
- 3% depended on news websites
- Only 1% obtained news from newspapers
The findings point to a continuing decline in traditional media consumption, especially among younger audiences increasingly drawn to digital and mobile-first platforms.
MCK’s survey also revealed that reliance on radio for news dropped from 26% in 2024 to 21% in 2025, while TV viewership declined from 63% in 2024 to 57% in 2025.
Media analysts from institutions such as the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and UNESCO have repeatedly highlighted the growing dominance of digital platforms in global news consumption patterns.
AI Emerging as a News Source
The report also identified a growing role for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in news consumption among Kenyans.
According to the findings:
- 34% of respondents said they used AI platforms for news occasionally
- 27% reported using AI tools regularly
- 39% said they had never used AI platforms for news content
The emergence of AI-driven news access mirrors global shifts in information consumption, particularly through tools powered by machine learning and conversational AI technologies.
Research by the World Economic Forum and Pew Research Center has shown that audiences worldwide are increasingly turning to AI-assisted search and content recommendation systems for information discovery.
Mixed Reactions to AI News Consumption
Among Kenyans who used AI platforms for news:
- 48% said AI enhanced their news consumption experience
- 34% reported no noticeable difference
- 12% said AI negatively affected their experience
The findings come amid ongoing global debates around misinformation, algorithmic bias, and the credibility of AI-generated content.
Institutions such as the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have recently raised concerns about the growing influence of AI on journalism and public trust in media.
Digital Shift Reshaping Kenya’s Media Industry
The State of the Media Report underscores the mounting pressure on traditional media houses to adapt to rapidly changing audience behaviour.
Industry experts say media organisations must now invest more heavily in digital storytelling, mobile journalism, video content, and social-first reporting strategies to remain competitive.
Technology and media policy experts from the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) have also stressed the need for stronger digital literacy and responsible online information sharing as social media and AI reshape the news ecosystem.
