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Nairobi accounts for 93% of podcast streams in Kenya, Spotify report shows
In 2025, Kenya’s podcast scene is thriving, driven by the country’s growing appetite for on-demand audio. According to the latest data from audio streaming platform Spotify, the country's capital, Nairobi, continues to dominate listening habits, accounting for over 93% of all Spotify streams.
The audience is also strikingly young, with Gen Z (18–24) making up nearly 50%, with millennials (25–29) close behind, highlighting podcasts as a youth-driven movement.
Gender representation is also almost perfectly balanced—50% women and 49% men—making Kenya one of the few podcast markets in Africa showing such parity in engagement.
In terms of genres, Society & Culture leads the way, reflecting demand for authentic storytelling around love, identity, and everyday life. At the same time, growth in True Crime and Business podcasts shows Kenyans increasingly blending entertainment with knowledge and productivity.
Listening trends also reveal just how seamlessly podcasts have become part of daily life in Kenya. Peak hours fall between 8 AM and 6 PM, suggesting that podcasts serve as companions on commutes, during work breaks, and while studying. They’re woven into routines of focus and productivity rather than reserved solely for leisure. The rise of genres like True Crime and Business further reflects this balance, as Kenyans turn to podcasts for both entertainment and information.
Kenya’s podcasting landscape is not only defined by established giants but fast-rising newcomers are also reshaping the space. That’s What She Said! Podcast, Listen, I Have Something To Say Podcast, and BTW Podcast by Celestine are among the fastest-growing shows, with Celestine’s podcast alone recording growth of over 10,000%.
This rise underscores how fresh voices and bold storytelling can disrupt the industry, proving that new creators can quickly gain traction, spark conversations on overlooked topics, and build highly engaged communities.
Even among top shows, the data-driven story is clear. Titles like So This Is Love, The97sPodcast, Mic Cheque Podcast, The Messy Inbetween, and The Mkurugenzi Podcast consistently pull in the country’s largest audiences, showing how podcasts have moved from niche content to mainstream culture.
Outside Nairobi, growth is strongest in Mombasa, Nakuru, Thika, and Kilifi, suggesting that podcasting is steadily expanding beyond the capital.
Other podcasts you can listen to include our own The TechTrends Podcast and The GreenShift Podcast.
