The quest for knowledge requires availability and accessibility of relevant and timely information to those who may require it, wherever they may be located.
Libraries plays this vital role of providing serene environment where people can research and get valuable information to quench their thirst. They have amazing collections of African books, creatively written to suit readers. Their inventories also have old newspapers dating back to few centuries ago.
This therefore means that National Libraries are resourceful when it comes to getting all information you need.
However counties like Nyamira, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana, Kirinyaga, Busia, Homabay, Kajiado, Lamu, Machakos Samburu, Vihiga and West Pokot, don’t have even a single National Public Library.
Here is a list of all National Public Libraries in Kenya;
No. | County | No. of Libraries | Area Situated |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Baringo | 2 | Kabarnet, Meisori |
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 | 2 | Wundanyi, 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 | – |
TOTAL | 62 |