Digital Libraries Expand Knowledge Access for Nairobi Students

Students at Nkaimurunya Primary School in the Gataka slum of Nairobi are now enjoying fresh access to digital learning resources after the launch of a new digital library pilot on September 12 2025. The initiative, backed by a Sh1 million donation from Women in Technology and Innovation Africa and coordinated with the school in partnership with local and international tech supporters, provided computers and tablets preloaded with curriculum‑aligned software, along with teacher training and refurbished learning space.
The digital library pilot enters a broader context of Kenya’s push to modernise its library services. Earlier, the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) launched a virtual library containing over 200,000 digital materials—books, periodicals and research papers—accessible via internet‑enabled devices. At the Nairobi International Book Fair in August 2025, KNLS affirmed its commitment to bridging information access across all regions, emphasising digital transformation in library infrastructure.The new pilot at Nkaimurunya thus represents a tangible application of this digital shift, especially in underserved urban schools.
Teachers and students involved in the pilot expressed optimism. One teacher described how students who previously had no personal access to learning materials were now engaging eagerly with tablets and digital quizzes, an unexpected boost to their curiosity and self‑study. Parents in the community also welcomed the effort, noting that having a dedicated digital learning facility at school means children who could not afford home devices now have improved learning opportunities. However, observers cautioned that unless the model is replicated beyond one pilot site, there is a risk of deepening the divide between urban slum schools and better‑resourced institutions.
Looking ahead, project organisers hope to scale the initiative across more low‑income Nairobi schools and eventually to other counties. Sustainability plans include setting up local bursary funds, community stewardship groups and teacher‑led digital‑library clubs to ensure the facility remains active beyond the initial rollout. If successful, the pilot could become a blueprint for how digital libraries help level the educational playing field in urban Kenya.