List of libraries in Kenya. The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) is a corporate body of the Kenyan government with a mandate to “promote, establish, equip, manage, maintain and develop libraries in Kenya”. In its service provision, knls plays a dual role of Public Library and National library of Kenya.
knls was established in 1965 by an Act of Parliament of the Laws of Kenya to provide library and information services to the Kenyan public. In its service provision, knls plays a dual role of public library and national library of Kenya. The public library services are available in their 64 branches throughout Kenya, while the national library services are available at the headquarters in Nairobi.
Currently, the Kenya National Library Service is managed by the government under the Ministry of Youth, Sports and the Arts, State Department for Sports and the Arts, where the Cabinet Secretary is Hon Ababu Namwamba. He has taken over from Amb. (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed who was the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage in the Uhuru Kenyatta Cabinet.
National and public libraries
The National Library and the public libraries are both the functions of Kenya National Library Service 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. 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
- Akili Community Libraries
- Container Libraries in Kenya
- Sidarec Community Library
- Kigima Resource Centre
- Elangata Wuas Resource Centre
- Karen Roses Joint Body Resource Centre
- Micato-Amshare Library and Resource Centre (located in Mukuru slums) – offers free services to the community
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.
