Analysis of activism as an impetus for setting up public libraries in Kenya

Abstract

Community leaders are not focused on the literacy skills of the people they lead. It can be construed that the higher the rate of a community’s illiteracy, the more difficult it is for the community to develop. A look at Kenya shows that well equipped libraries for various constituencies is abysmal. Libraries can accelerate knowledge acquisition by the public through distance education. The study uses analytic methodology to critique lack of public libraries in Kenya. Analysis of community illiteracy rate reveals that the problem can better be addressed by community members playing the part of activists. Since activism is allowed in Kenya Constitution 2010, it becomes the only recourse to impel members of parliament and county assemblies to accelerate the setting up libraries in their areas of their jurisdiction and in this regard, activism is vital for social change. This study recommends more research to be carried out in Kenya on the need for and setting up more libraries for the citizens.