Kilifi County Becomes Anchor County for the Get Kenya Reading Campaign in New Partnership with Worldreader
Kilifi, Kenya – July 10, 2025
In a major step toward advancing literacy across Kenya, Kilifi County has signed a partnership with global nonprofit Worldreader to launch the Get Kenya Reading campaign, a national movement aiming to get 1 million children reading through the power of digital books and community engagement.
The partnership was formalized in Kilifi this week ahead of Kenya’s National Reading Day, taking place this Saturday, July 12th. Kilifi will serve as the anchor county for the campaign, inspiring other counties to prioritize early childhood reading.
The signing ceremony brought together visionary leaders including H.E. Flora Mbetsa Chibule, Deputy Governor of Kilifi County, Hon. Felkin K. Dena, CECM for Education & ICT, and Agnetta Karembo, Chief Officer ICT and E-Government, alongside Worldreader’s Director of Partnerships & Services, Kenya, Olivia Kimani, and Catherine Wairi, Worldreader Kenya Board Member.
“Reading is a powerful tool for building our children’s future. Through this partnership, Kilifi County is making a bold commitment to ensure that every child, from our towns to our villages, can access books and develop a love for reading,” said H.E. Flora Mbetsa Chibule.
She added, *”We want a connection. We want to bridge gaps where busy parents can find even five or ten minutes a day to read with their children. Through BookSmart, we can also tell our Kilifi stories and make reading a lifestyle, helping our children build confidence and courage to reach spaces we as parents didn’t go.”
The BookSmart app, a free digital reading platform by Worldreader, will play a central role in the campaign. Available on mobile phones, BookSmart provides access to thousands of engaging storybooks in English and Kiswahili Making reading accessible anytime, anywhere.
“We have just signed an MOU with Kilifi County to get Kilifi reading. This is a momentous time for Kilifi — and also a momentous time for Kenya — because it’s another step toward getting the whole of Kenya reading, one county at a time,” said Olivia Kimani.
The Get Kenya Reading campaign encourages families to read with their children for at least 10 minutes a day, fostering imagination, learning, and family bonding.
Worldreader calls on other counties, partners, and supporters to join the movement—because when we get children reading today, we prepare them for a brighter tomorrow.
About Worldreader
Worldreader gets children reading so they can reach their potential. For young dreamers with curious minds and their families, Worldreader is a gateway to a lifelong love of reading and learning. Through digital technology, Worldreader provides family reading experiences to all children aged 3-12 so they are inspired to explore a world of endless possibilities. Since 2010, Worldreader has supported over 22 million readers in more than 100 countries.
Media Contact
Olivia Kimani
Director of Partnerships and Services, Worldreader
Contact Olivia
