Factors Influencing the Uptake of Internet Connectivity in Meru Municipality, Meru County in Kenya

The main objective of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the uptake of internet connectivity among Meru Municipality residents. This study, therefore, examined the following factors affecting the uptake of internet connectivity: Bandwidth speed, cost of internet, advertisement, and literacy levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS. One of the key findings was the high price of internet subscriptions was one of the most hindrance factors to internet accessibility by a majority of youths and even adults. The advertisement found as the second influencing factor, with the majority of respondents feeling much has to be done by internet providers to reach potential customers. Considering the population sample had 98 percent O level of education, and 98% knew English or Kiswahili, Literacy levels discovered as the third influencing factor. Lastly, connection speed was the least factor. Hence, the study concluded that the high cost of the internet is one of the hindrance factors to internet penetration in Meru Municipality. Thus, an investigation should be initiated by internet service providers to determine the actual cost of internet provision across different towns as per the prevailing socio-economic climate in the area. Finally, the findings will be useful to the Ministry of Information and Technology, County Governments, Internet Service Providers, and other stakeholders who are aspiring to turn Kenya into a regional ICT hub and achieving Kenyans long term development plan of Vision 2030.