Kenya has a diverse library ecosystem that supports education, research, literacy, and community development. These libraries fall into three broad categories: national and public libraries, community libraries, and academic libraries.
National and public libraries
National and public library services in Kenya are administered by the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), established under Cap 225 of the Laws of Kenya in 1965.
- National Library:
- Located at Community–Upper Hill, Nairobi
- Serves as the country’s legal deposit and reference library
- Public libraries:
- KNLS operates 64 public library branches across Kenya
- Services vary by location and include lending, reference, ICT access, children’s programs, and literacy outreach
Some county governments also manage libraries independently of KNLS. Nairobi County, for example, operates libraries at Kayole, Makadara, Dagoretti, and McMillan Memorial Library in the CBD, the oldest library in Nairobi.
Kenya National Library Service branch distribution (summary)
KNLS libraries are spread across most counties, with stronger coverage in urban and semi-urban areas and limited or no facilities in some arid and sparsely populated counties.
Examples include:
- Baringo – Kabarnet, Meisori, Eldama Ravine
- Garissa – Garissa, Mbalambala, Masalani
- Kilifi – Kilifi, Dzitsoni, Malindi
- Kisumu – Kisumu, Koru (Dr. Robert Ouko Memorial Library)
- Nyeri – Nyeri, Munyu, Chinga, Karatina
- Wajir – Wajir, Griftu, Habasweni, Tarbaj, Bute
Several counties, such as Busia, Homa Bay, Turkana, Samburu, and West Pokot, currently have no KNLS public libraries.
Community libraries
Community libraries are typically established through partnerships with donors, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and local initiatives. Their focus is on literacy, youth empowerment, and access to information in underserved areas.
Notable examples include:
- Mathare Youth Sports Association Libraries – two branches in informal settlements
- Busia Community Library
- Akili Community Libraries
- Container Libraries in Kenya – modular libraries serving informal and remote communities
- Sidarec Community Library
- Kigima Resource Centre
- Elangata Wuas Resource Centre
- Hosanna B&K Library (Kahuro)
- Karen Roses Joint Body Resource Centre
- Micato–Amshaer Library and Resource Centre in Mukuru, offering free community services
These libraries play a critical role where public library coverage is limited.
Academic libraries
Academic libraries support higher education and research in public universities, colleges, polytechnics, and training institutes. Their collections are subject-focused and aligned with institutional curricula.
- The University of Nairobi Library System is the largest and most established academic library network in Kenya.
- Other major public universities and colleges maintain their own academic libraries serving students, researchers, and faculty.
Overall importance
Libraries in Kenya contribute to:
- Literacy and lifelong learning
- Academic research and innovation
- Digital inclusion and access to information
- Community empowerment, especially in marginalized areas
Together, national, public, community, and academic libraries form a vital backbone for knowledge access and educational development across the country.
National and public libraries
The National Library and the public libraries are both the functions of Kenya National Library Service[1] which is mandated by the law under Cap 225 of the Laws of Kenya, April 1965. Currently there is one National Library which is located at Community-Upper Hill, Nairobi. There are 64 public libraries spread in different parts of the country.[2] In addition, some of the county government have libraries under them which are either operational or nonoperational. Nairobi county has four libraries located at Kayole, Makadara, Dagoretti and McMillan Memorial Library at the Nairobi Central Business District (the oldest library in Nairobi).
Kenya National Library Service has a total of 64 branches spread in different parts of the country. The libraries offer varied services depending on location and mode of establishment.
Branches within Kenya National Library Service Network
| No. | County | No. of Libraries | Area Situated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baringo | 3 | Kabarnet, Meisori, Eldama Ravine |
| 2 | Bomet | 1 | Silibwet |
| 3 | Bungoma | 1 | Kimilili |
| 4 | Busia | None | – |
| 5 | Elgeyo/Marakwet | 1 | Lagam |
| 6 | Embu | 1 | Embu |
| 7 | Garissa | 3 | Garissa, Mbalambala, Masalani |
| 8 | Homa Bay | None | – |
| 9 | Isiolo | 1 | Isiolo |
| 10 | Kajiado | None | – |
| 11 | Kakamega | 2 | Kakamega, Lusumu |
| 12 | Kericho | 1 | Kericho |
| 13 | Kiambu | 1 | Thika |
| 14 | Kilifi | 3 | Kilifi, Dzitsoni, Malindi |
| 15 | Kirinyaga | None | – |
| 16 | Kisii | 1 | Kisii |
| 17 | Kisumu | 2 | Kisumu, Koru (Dr. Robert Ouko Memorial Library) |
| 18 | Kitui | 1 | Mwingi |
| 19 | Kwale | 1 | Kwale (Ukunda) |
| 20 | Laikipia | 2 | Nanyuki, Rumuruti |
| 21 | Lamu | None | – |
| 22 | Machakos | None | – |
| 23 | Makueni | 3 | Mutyambua, Kinyambu, Kithasyu |
| 24 | Mandera | 1 | Mandera |
| 25 | Marsabit | 1 | Moyale |
| 26 | Meru | 3 | Meru, Mikumbune, Timau, Gatimbi |
| 27 | Migori | 1 | Awendo |
| 28 | Mombasa | 1 | Mombasa |
| 29 | Murang’a | 2 | Murang’a, Kangema |
| 30 | Nairobi | 3 | Nairobi Area, Buruburu, Kibera |
| 31 | Nakuru | 3 | Nakuru, Naivasha, Gilgil |
| 32 | Nandi | 1 | Kapsabet |
| 33 | Narok | 2 | Narok, Lelechonik |
| 34 | Nyamira | None | – |
| 35 | Nyandarua | 1 | Ol Kalou |
| 36 | Nyeri | 4 | Nyeri, Munyu, Chinga, Karatina |
| 37 | Samburu | None | – |
| 38 | Siaya | 3 | Nyilima, Rambula, Ukwala |
| 39 | Taita Taveta | 3 | Wundanyi, Voi, Werugha (Mary Patch Turnbull Memorial Library) |
| 40 | Tana River | None | – |
| 41 | Tharaka Nithi | None | – |
| 42 | Trans Nzoia | None | – |
| 43 | Turkana | None | – |
| 44 | Uasin Gishu | 1 | Eldoret |
| 45 | Vihiga | None | – |
| 46 | Wajir | 5 | Wajir, Griftu, Habasweni, Tarbaj, Bute |
| 47 | West Pokot | None | – |
| 48. | Athi river | Elimika resource center | |
| TOTAL | 64 |
Community libraries
Community libraries have been established through the support of donors, individuals and institutions within the country as a way of empowering disadvantaged communities, promoting increased literacy levels and as a way of promoting a reading culture within the country. Some of these libraries are:
- Mathare Youth Sports Association Libraries (located in slums) – has two branches
- Busia Community Library[3]
- Akili Community Libraries[4]
- Container Libraries in Kenya[5]
- Sidarec Community Library
- Kigima Resource Centre[6]
- Elangata Wuas Resource Centre
- Hosanna B&K Library, (located at Praise Jesus Park, Salvation Street, Kahuro).
- Karen Roses Joint Body Resource Centre
- Micato-Amshare Library and Resource Centre (located in Mukuru slums) – offers free services to the community[7]
Academic libraries
Under this category are the libraries found in public academic institutions like the public universities, colleges, polytechnics and academies. These libraries mostly contain academic books and information resources relating to the subjects of concentration by those institutions. The leading academic Library in Kenya is under the University of Nairobi, the first university to be established in Kenya in 1956 as the Royal Technical College.
| Location | Nairobi, Kenya |
|---|---|
| Type | National Library |
| Established | 1965 |
| Reference to legal mandate | Laws of Kenya Cap 225 of April 1965 |
| Branches | 3 |
| Collection | |
| Items collected | Books, periodicals, encyclopedias, newspapers, journals, magazines, Braille materials, audio books, audio navigators for the blind, charts, maps and e-resources |
| Size | 1.4M books |
| Criteria for collection | Preservation of the National Imprint |
| Legal deposit | Yes |
| Access and use | |
| Access requirements | Access through entry fee or registered membership for adults. Children have free access. |
| Population served | 16M |
| Members | Est 75,000 |
| Other information | |
| Director | Dr. Charles Nzivo |
| Employees | Est 650 |
| Website | www.knls.ac.ke (Automated Accessibility Score = 3.2 decimal) |
