15 August 2012 Last updated at 09:56 ET

Kenya profile

Newspaper stand in Kenya

Kenya has a diverse media scene, supported by a sizable middle class that sustains a substantial advertising market.

A handful of major players dominates the industry. One of them, Nation Media Group, has extended its operations to neighbouring countries.

The state-run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is funded from advertising revenue and a government-provided budget.

Television is the main news source in cities and towns. The spread of viewing in rural areas has been slower, hampered by limited access to mains electricity. A switchover to digital TV is under way.

The main satellite pay-TV platforms are South Africa's MultiChoice and its Kenyan rival Wananchi Group, which operates Zuku TV.

Entertainment, music and phone-ins dominate the vibrant radio scene, which includes Islamic stations and those broadcasting in local languages. Radio remains the main medium in rural areas, where most Kenyans live.

Full-time FM relays of the BBC World Service are on the air in Nairobi (93.9), Mombasa (93.9) and Kisumu (88.1).

The highly-competitive press sector is the most sophisticated in the region. The print media are dominated by two publishing houses, the Nation and Standard.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Kenya at 84th (out of 179 countries) in its 2012 global Press Freedom Index.

Internet use is high by regional standards, and submarine cables have boosted Kenya's global connectivity. The widespread use of mobiles enables millions to access the web. The platform is particularly important in rural areas. There were 10.5 million internet users by December 2011 (via Internetworldstats.com).

Many Kenyans have embraced social media. Facebook is said to be edging out email as a preferred mode of communication.

Press

  • Daily Nation - market-leading daily published by the Nation Media Group
  • The Standard - privately-owned daily, Kenya's oldest newspaper
  • The Star - privately-owned daily
  • East African - weekly, published by the Nation Media Group
  • Taifa Leo - Swahili daily published by the Nation Media Group (subscription website)

Television

Radio

News agency

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RSS

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