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Kenyans are avid readers, study
Participants during the launch of reading habit survey by the Kenya national library services at the Panafric hotel. The survey revealed that 85.1 %of the literate population had read something in the last one year and 75.6% of these read newspapers. PHOTO/ MICHAEL MUTE
Posted Monday, July 20 2009 at 22:30
Who said Kenyans do not have a reading culture? Well, a new survey shows that 85 per cent of Kenyans have been classified as avid readers.
The survey released on Monday by the Kenya National Library Services shows that majority of Kenyans regarded reading highly and in the past one year, they had “read something”, be it a book, magazine, professional journal or the information available on the internet.
And contrary to the widely-held belief, the study also found that Kenyans no longer read just to pass an exam.
In fact, according to the study, 85 per cent of Kenyans who read did so to increase their knowledge while 74 per cent read for pleasure.
Newspapers topped the list of materials that had found the greatest favour among readers, followed by magazines, religious books and works of fiction in that order.
Even though majority of the respondents said they read at home, few said they read as a family, or even had a family reading hour.
Out of 950 people who were interviewed, 39 per cent said they read books to their children under the age of five years.
“Reading is a way of life,” said National Heritage permanent secretary Jacob ole Miaron when he launcheed the survey in Nairobi on Monday.
He reading should not be a mechanical classroom affair of dealing with symbols and numerals but something “which must be integrated into all forms of human activity”.
“As a country, we have to be concerned about our reading culture because information is the solid rock upon which any meaningful development lies,” he said and described the lack of a consistent reading culture AS “a disease that is ailing the nation and whose cure must be sought early in life.”
Despite having showed a poor reading culture in the past, nearly all Kenyans questioned by the researchers acknowledged that reading was an essential part of life.
Said Dr Miaron: “This is a very encouraging revelations as it shows that Kenyans appreciate that this is the only way to remain competitive globally.”
The survey was carried out last month.
Questionnaires were used as the main research method. However, it emerged that it was not clear what reading meant for the respondents.
Ms Caroline Sabiri, who headed the research, could not explain what she meant by asking Kenyans if they read.
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Submitted by KingJulianPosted July 28, 2009 07:14 PM
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Submitted by Afroblk
@Weliwalo; I always tell people to know their facts straight and for this case read and understand before posting an obtuse comment! It clearly says "The survey revealed that 85.1 %of the literate population had read something in the last one year..." we all know the literate population is very low! dolt
Posted July 22, 2009 02:05 PM -
Submitted by naliweliwalo
Just wondering, for 85% of Kenyans to be avid readers (more than literate), that means that, at the very least, a larger population should be literate! (say 90%) This sounds highly unlikely! I am happy that many Kenyans are reading, but I disagree with the figures/percentages listed
Posted July 22, 2009 01:01 AM -
Submitted by yuyanren
read hard Kenyans broaden your mind
Posted July 21, 2009 07:26 PM -
Submitted by mza
Let Kenyans read what they want. What we call 'good reading' is not only subjective but usually cut off from the needs of ordinary people.
Posted July 21, 2009 06:07 PM
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I think this survey just proves that there is a large literate population. Good quality reading material is out of reach for many. The last time I went to the book fair a few years ago it was dominated by books geared for schools, not much general reading, hopefully things have changed since then. I think there is still a long way to go.