One of the advantages of this age of technology is the myriad of ways through which information can be passed. People need not rely on newspapers, television, and radio to keep up with the latest information. Other ways information can be shared is via blogging, and today, Kenya has several blogs/websites, most of which are constantly visited by internet users because of how relevant they have become.
Blogging has come a long way in Kenya, especially with the 2012 launch of the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) Awards. This has further encouraged and helped promote healthy competition among bloggers. Even though the voting and judging process for 2020 were already underway, it was suspended and postponed indefinitely due to COVID -19 pandemic. For ease of comparison and also encourage all-inclusiveness, the blogs are put into categories, such as entertainment, business, fashion, technology, politics, and so on.
While Alexa gives one of the most credible analysis in terms of global internet engagement, website traffic statistics, referral sources, and more for any site, we will be looking beyond this popularity and considering users’ experience, good and relevant content, and also website speed.
One can learn a lot about people from the kind of content they find interesting. From all indications and research, most Kenyans spend a considerable amount of time on news sites. It is also very interesting to see how the times have brought about a change and shift in the type of content people search for online. That being said, here’s a list of the most visited websites in Kenya.
Let’s Take An In-depth Look at Some of The Websites That Made the List
1. Nation.co.ke – Nation Media Group
This website is owned by a leading newspaper publishing company in Kenya, Nation Media Group. The company prints and distributes The Daily Nation, The East African, and other monthly and weekly publications. Daily Nation, aka, nation.co.ke is also one of the oldest newspaper publishing companies, having been founded in 1958 as Tafia, a Swahili weekly paper. The site offers the latest news, especially on politics, entertainment, and other relevant topics.
The company also owns Television stations- Nation TV, QTV, Easy Fm, and Q Fm radio stations. The latest of their TV programs and news can be accessed through their website, which has made it the most visited website in Kenya. The site’s traffic comes from Kenya, United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia, with the highest clicks coming from Search, then social before referrals and direct.
Local and Global Ranking
Nation.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 3 and a Global Rank of 1,174, the daily time on site is 5 minutes 27 seconds per user. The core website is somewhat similar to standardmedia.co.ke, with an overlap score of 65.2.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 82.15% of Nation.co.ke visitors. About 5.52% visit from the United States while about 2% visit from the UK. These visitors look at an average of 2.54 pages and spend approximately 5 minutes and 27 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 51.7%.
Nation.co.ke Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: Nation Media Group Limited, Nation Centre, Kimathi Street, Nairobi
- Telephone: +254 20 3288000
- Mailing Address: P. O. Box 49010 – 00506, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Website with official contact
2. Standardmedia.co.ke – Standard Media Group
By Alexa’s ranking, this is the most searched and 2nd most visited website in Kenya. It is owned by the Standard Media Group, which owns the largest newspaper publishing firm in Kenya. The group also owns a television network, as well as one of the largest newspaper publishing firms.
The website has remained one of the most visited for several years now, which implies that they are doing something right. The site is a go-to for the latest news in the country, region, and globally, covering areas like sports, entertainment, politics, health, business, and of course, the news.
Local and Global Ranking
Standardmedia.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 4. While its Global Rank is 2,135. Another website that is related or similar to standardmedia.co.ke based on Local and Global Ranking, content and audience overlap is nation.co.ke, with an overlap score of 65.2.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 47% of standardmedia.co.ke visitors while others come from the United States followed by India. These visitors look at an average of 1.97 pages and spend approximately 4 minutes and 39 seconds on the website daily. It has a bounce rate of 55.4%.
Standardmedia.co.ke Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: I&M Bank Tower, Kenyatta Avenue
- Telephone Number: +254-20-3222111
- Email address: [email protected]
3. Tuko.co.ke – Genesis Group of Companies
Tuko.co.ke is a Kenyan news and entertainment website that features aggregated, exclusive, and user-generated news content. It was founded in 2015 and is a subsidiary of the Genesis Group of Companies, which also owns Legit.ng (in Nigeria) and Yen (in Ghana). Genesis Group of Companies is a global web and mobile company that develops revolutionary digital solutions and fast-growing online platforms, in more than five countries across the globe.
In January 2017, barely two years after being set up, Tuko became the number one news and entertainment website, beating Nation and Standard Media Group. The site features a selection of “trending local news, viral content, gossip and entertainment,” with which it attracts many readers across the country who don’t have the patience for traditional news outlets.
Local and Global Ranking
tuko.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 5. While its Global Rank is 2,303. The website similar to tuko.co.ke based on Local and Global Ranking, content, and audience overlap is kenyans.co.ke with a score of 42.1.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 60% of tuko.co.ke visitors. Besides Kenya, other visitors come from the United States, followed by Nigeria. These visitors look at an average of 2.63 pages and spend approximately 7 minutes and 27 seconds on the website daily. Tuko.co.ke has a bounce rate of 60.4%.
Tuko.co.ke Contact Details:
- Head Office: Genesis Group of Companies, Westlands Office Park, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi.
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Telephone: (WhatsApp): +254732482690
- Website with Official Contacts
4. Kenyans.co.ke
This website is popular for breaking news and other entertainment news. They write original articles, covering areas like sports, politics, technology, business, and general news.
Local and Global Ranking
Kenyans.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 6. While its Global Rank is 4,558 (which has dropped 1,538 positions over the last 3 months). A website that is related or similar to kenyans.co.ke based on Local and Global Ranking, content and audience overlap is citizen.co.ke with a score of 52.5.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 87.6% of kenyans.co.ke visitors. It has a bounce rate of 61.1%, with visitors spending an average of 5:08 minutes on the site. Besides Kenya, other visitors come from the United States and Qatar.
Kenyans.co.ke Contact Details:
- Head Office: Boxraft Limited, Westcom Point, Off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi.
- Email Address: [email protected]
- Telephone: +254712 420 411
- Mailing Address: P.O Box 55476-00200
5. Citizentv.co.ke – Royal Media Services Limited
Citizen TV is a Kenyan free-to-air television channel, which started in 1999 and was relaunched in 2006. Most of their broadcasts are done in English and Swahili, and it is owned by Royal Media Services Ltd. It is the fastest-growing television station and one of the most visited websites in Kenya, with a strong focus on local programming. The website covers a variety of programs, ranging from local to International. The site also covers breaking news in politics, entertainment, and business.
Royal Media Services Ltd currently has the widest geographical reach as the parent company for several leading national and vernacular stations namely: Radio Citizen (Swahili), Hot96 FM (English), Inooro FM (Gikuyu), Ramogi FM (Dholuo), Egesa FM (Ekegusii), Mulembe FM (Luhya), Musyi FM (Kamba), Muuga FM (Meru), Chamgei FM (Kalenjin), Bahari FM (Swahili), Sulwe FM (Bukusu), Vuuka FM (Maragoli), Wimwaro FM (Embu), and Radio Maa (Maasai)
Local and Global Ranking
Citizentv.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 7 and a Global Rank of 6,199, the daily time on site is 3 minutes 02 seconds per visitor. The core website is somewhat similar to kenyans.co.ke with an overlap score of 52.5.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 88.38% of Citizentv.co.ke visitors. About a 3.03% visit from the United States while about 1.33% visit from Qatar. These visitors look at an average of 1.7 pages and spend approximately 3 minutes and 02 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 74.9%.
Citizentv.co.ke Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: Royal Media Services, Maalim Juma Rd. Off Dennis Pritt Road, Hurlingham area, Nairobi.
- Telephone: +254 719 060 000
- Mailing Address: P. O. Box 7468 – 00300, Nairobi, Kenya
- Website with Official Contacts
6. Jumia.co.ke – Jumia
The lockdown in several African countries has brought about a surge in the number of people using the online market place as it is no longer safe to visit physical shops due to the fear of contracting the virus. Jumia is Kenya’s #1 online destination for the widest range of lifestyle products and services. Jumia was founded in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2012 and has partnered with more than 50,000 local African companies. They aim to use the internet to improve people’s quality of life by helping them overcome the challenges they face every day in terms of poor infrastructures, limited choice, limited information, expensive products, and services.
The company is led by top talented leaders offering a great mix of local and international talents and is backed by global investors, namely MTN, Millicom, Rocket Internet, Axa, Orange, Goldman Sachs, CDC, Pernod Ricard, and Mastercard. Jumia’s Main Subsidiary Services includes Jumia Home, Jumia Travel, Jumia Food, Jumia Cars, Jumia Jobs, Jumia Deals, and their number one Online Shopping and delivery solution – Jumia Kenya.
Local and Global Ranking
Jumia.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 10. While its Global Rank is 8,533. Another website that is related to jumia.co.ke based on content and audience overlap is jiji.co.ke, with a 57.0% overlap score.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
People visiting from Kenya account for 87.1% of jumia.co.ke visitors, while the United States has 1.5% and India 1.1%. These visitors look at an average of 7.31 pages and spend approximately 13 minutes and 37 seconds on jumia.co.ke daily. The site has a bounce rate of 23.9%.
Jumia.co.ke Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: CBD Emperor Plaza, Kenyatta Avenue. Opp. GPO
- Telephone Number: +254712302369
- Email address: [email protected]
- Website with Official Contacts
7. Kra.go.ke – Kenya Revenue Authority
This site is the official website for the Kenya Revenue Authority, which is in charge of the assessment, collection, and accounting for all revenues due to the government in Kenya. Their core businesses are revenue collection, trade facilitation, and border control. It was formed in 1995. It is under the Kenya Ministry of Finance, and this site is the number one for everything tax-related, including filling returns, applying for a PIN, calculation, and payment of taxes.
Local and Global Ranking
Kra.go.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 11 and a Global Rank of 7,567, the daily time on site is 19 minutes 10 seconds per visitor. The website is similar to revenue.go.ke, with an overlap score of 34.9.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 91.5% of kra.go.ke visitors. About 1.8% visit from Tanzania and 1.3% from the United States. These visitors look at an average of 5.54 pages and spend approximately 19 minutes and 10 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 16.6%, which implies that the website must be very effective in meeting visitors’ needs.
Kra.go.ke Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: Times Tower, Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Main Telephone: +254 20 4 999 999
- Email: [email protected]
- Website with official contact
8. Ghafla.com
When it comes to entertainment and gossip news in Kenya, Ghafla takes the top position. It was founded in 2011 after the formerly known KenyanLyrics was rebranded to Ghafla. It was founded by Samuel Majani, who saw a vacuum in the provision of local celebrity news and music lyrics online.
The firm has since partnered with Ringer Africa (Swiss Media firm) and currently has 13 employees. The site influenced how news was told even by the mainstream media who then sought to start their gossip forum. One of Ghafla’s fiercest competition today (Mpasho) was created by Radio Africa. The site even poached some of Ghafla’s main writers, who formed the core team that started Mpasho.
Ghafla has proved that it has the staying power to continually engage its audience and currently have subsidiaries in Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, and internationally.
Local and Global Ranking
Ghafla.com has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 15 and a Global Rank of 7,500, the daily time on site is 6 minutes 26 seconds per user. The core website is somewhat similar to mpasho.co.ke, with an overlap score of 36.9.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 67.06% of visitors to the site. About 10.56% visit from Tanzania while about 6.24% visit from Ghana. These visitors look at an average of 3.0 pages and spend approximately 6 minutes and 26 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 47.7%.
Ghafla.com Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: Ringier Kenya, Ground Floor, Suite A, Top Plaza, Kindaruma Road, Nairobi
- Main Telephone: +254 733982918
- Mailing Address: P. O. Box 61371 – 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Website with official contact
9. Mpasho.co.ke – Radio Africa Group
Mpasho is the go-to entertainment and lifestyle news website. The site provides the latest breaking news, gossip, and video from the entertainment industry. It is a subsidiary of Radio Africa Group, owned by Ghanian Kenya-based entrepreneur Patrick Quarcoo. The company is an umbrella of leading media channels in print, digital, television, and radio. Some of their subsidiaries are Kiss FM, Classic FM, Smooth FM, The Star Newspaper, Kiss Television, and Songa App. Mpasho, amongst others.
Local and Global Ranking
Mpasho.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 19 and a Global Rank of 16,225, the daily time on site is 5 minutes 27 seconds per user. The core website is somewhat similar to sde.co.ke, with an overlap score of 43.1
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 91.05% of visitors to this site and about 2.06% visit from the United States while about 1.04% visit from Qatar. These visitors look at an average of 2.5 pages and spend approximately 3 minutes and 57 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 61.3%.
Mpasho.co.ke Contact Details:
- HEAD OFFICE: Mpasho Entertainment News, Westlands Nairobi, Kenya
- Main Telephone: 0736 944935
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing Address: P. O. Box 49010 – 00506, Nairobi, Kenya
- Website with official contact
10. Jiji.co.ke – Jiji
Jiji.co.ke is another leading online market place and one of the most visited websites in Kenya, with a strong presence in several African countries. Jiji is the largest marketplace in Africa, where people can buy and sell pretty much anything. It has been described as a combination of eBay and Craiglist for Africa. It was co-founded by the Ukrainian entrepreneur Vladimir Mnogoletniy and has an East to West presence, including Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Local and Global Ranking
Jiji.co.ke has a Local Rank (including international websites) of 22 and a Global Rank of 19,288, the daily time on site is 5 minutes 54 seconds per visitor. The website is similar to pigiame.co.ke, with an overlap score of 70.5.
Visitors Demography Segmentation
Kenya accounts for 87.7% of visitors and 0.6% from Indonesia. These visitors look at an average of 5.54 pages and spend approximately 8 minutes and 31 seconds on the website daily, with a bounce rate of 29.0%.
Jiji.co.ke Contact Details:
Most Visited Websites in Kenya By Categories
News, Entertainment, and Social Media Websites
Over the past years, the most visited website in Kenya has been a news website. Most of these sites report and give accounts of things happening locally. Kenyans frequent these blogs/sites even more than social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Netflix. This might be due to the nature of the content they provide. Moreover, these local news sites can report the happenings in a way that is more relatable and closer to their cultural realities. News sites occupy the first four positions on the top 10 most visited websites in Kenya. They include Nation.co.ke, Standardmedia.co.ke, Tuko.co.ke, and Kenyans.co.ke. These sites explore politics, recent happenings and mostly breaking news in Kenya.
Health Websites
People are concerned about their health situation, especially with the COVID 19 Pandemic that is ravaging the world. A website like nhif.or.ke, which is the official website for the National Institute of Health, has found its way on the list of most visited sites in Kenya.
Education Websites
The total and partial lockdown in several African countries has brought unprecedented traffic to several educational sites. Either it’s looking for funds/loans for education, online and virtual learning, this Coursehero.com has made it to the top 50 most visited sites in Kenya.
Web/Internet Sites
As people continue to search for alternative ways to complement their means of livelihood during this season, many have turned to online marketing. Jumia.co.ke is one of the sites that has welcomed a huge number of people. The site has experienced monumental growth and traffic, which has led it to become one of the top 10 most visited websites in Kenya. Jiji is also another site that is thriving on this note.
Here’s A List of 50 Most Visited (Global and Local) Websites in Kenya [2020 Research]
- Google.com
- Youtube.com
- Nation.co.ke
- Standardmedia.co.ke
- Tuko.co.ke
- Kenyans.co.ke
- Citizentv.co.ke
- Yahoo.com
- Facebook.com
- Jumia.co.ke
- Kra.go.ke
- Zoom.us
- Netflix.com
- Wikipedia.org
- Ghafla.com
- Amazon.com
- Bongacams.com
- Bet9ja
- Mpasho.co.ke
- Grammarly.com
- Microsoft.com
- Jiji.co.ke
- Google.co.ke
- K2tv.co.ke
- Twitter.com
- Turnitin.com
- Ecitizen.go.ke
- Instagram.com
- Office.com
- Storiespace.com
- Betensured.com
- Microsoftonline.com
- Researchgate.net
- Stackoverflow.com
- The-star.co.ke
- Aliexpress.com
- Bbc.com
- WordPress.com
- Live.com
- Crowd1.com
- Kenyamoja.com
- Iqoption.com
- Betika.com
- Myshopify.com
- 1337x.to
- Blogspot.com
- Equitybankgroup.com
- Biznakenya.com
- Nih.gov
- Coursehero.com
Recap: List of the most-visited local Kenyan websites according to Alexa [2020 Research]
- Nation.co.ke
- Standardmedia.co.ke
- Tuko.co.ke
- Kenyans.co.ke
- Citizentv.co.ke
- Jumia.co.ke
- betin.ke
- citizentv.com
- Kenyans.co.ke
- ecitizen.
Top 10 Most visited (Global and Local) websites in Kenya [2020 Research]
- Google.com
- Youtube.com
- Nation.co.ke
- Tuko.co.ke
- Standardmedia.co.ke
- Kra.go.ke
- Kenyans.co.ke
- Yahoo.com
- Facebook.com
- Citizentv.co.ke
Glossary – Meaning of used words in the context:
Average Time: This is the average of the time spent by all visitors on a website each day. It is also calculated in minutes by cookies and clicks made by the visitors on the website.
Backlinks: Backlinks are a form of hyperlinks. In search engine optimization terms, it is a hyperlink that links from a Web page, back to your Web page or Website. Also called an Inbound Link, these links are important in determining the popularity of your website.
Global Website Rank: This refers to the ranking of a website in comparison to all other websites in the world. It calculates the number of monthly unique visitors together with the number of page views across desktop and mobile traffic.
Local Website Rank: This refers to the ranking of a website in a specific location. Like Kenya.
Page Views: Page views are the number of pages a user visits on a website. They are recorded using cookies based on how many clicks and pages a user navigates to on a website.
Search Engine Friendly: When a website Search Engine friendly, it means that search engines can crawl each page on the website efficiently, interpret the content effectively, and index it in their database to make it available for users who search for it.
Search Referrals: This refers to the percentage of people who access a site after searching for a certain keyword.
