Kenyans.co.ke has been ranked among the most read online news outlets in Kenya by Reuters, an international news organisation.
In the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2022 released on Wednesday, June 15, Kenyans.co.ke was ranked as the fifth most preferred online news brand after Citizen Digital, Opera News, Nation online and KTN News.
The pioneer online media house edged other outlets for tailoring rich content covering areas like politics, breaking news, business, government policies, and technology, among others.
Kenyans.co.ke was followed by The Standard online, NTV online, The Star online, Nairobi News, Yahoo News.
Kenyans.co.ke, which is owned by Boxraft Limited, has been in operation since 2015. It has grown from a start up media house to a notable publication with a combined audience running into millions of users and a dedicated team of over 30 journalists.
Other digital media sources ranked in the report include Citizen Radio online, BBC News online, K24 online, Nairobian online, Business Daily online and CNN.
In the TV and radio category, Citizen TV still topped followed by KTN News and Daily Nation. Citizen Radio also emerged as the top radio news source in the country with Radio Jambo and Classic FM booking a spot in the ranking.
The findings were based on a survey conducted among readers - mostly in the formal sector - targeting news consumers aged 18-50.
The report pointed out that Kenya continues to lead the region in internet connectivity, mobile phone use, and social media engagement thus making the country a pioneer in digital innovation.
It also disclosed that Facebook and WhatsApp were still among the most popular social media platforms, with Tik Tok's prominence peaking during the pandemic.
"TikTok has been growing in popularity, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown when people would share funny or exciting updates or events in their neighbourhood," a Reuters report read in part.
Reuters noted that most Kenyan media houses have now diverted their attention towards covering the August 9 General Election. Unlike in their previous report where they pointed out the loss of jobs, the report noted that most media houses had embarked on a hiring spree in order to bolster their coverage.
"Journalists’ salaries have been reinstated to their pre-pandemic levels even as newsrooms attempt to deliver more output and enhanced election coverage with the same number of staff."
It also raised a question of censorship, especially by the government affecting their independence.
"Kenyan media are still considered to be relatively independent by regional standards, but press freedom has been deteriorating since 2017 when the government started using its advertising budgets to compel news organisations to toe the line," the report added.
