A National Adult Literacy Survey conducted in 2007 revealed that 61.5% of the adult
population had attained the minimum literacy level thus leaving 38.5% ( 7.8 million in
absolute numbers) adults illiterate. The survey also showed that only 29.6% out of the
61.5% of the adult population with minimum literacy level had acquired the desired
mastery literacy and numeracy competency. About 29.9% of the youth aged 15 to 19
years and 49% of adults aged 45 to 49 years were illiterate. There is high regional
disparity in literacy achievements with Nairobi province having 87.1% and North Eastern
province 8%. There also exists gender disparity in literacy levels with men rated at
64.1% and women at 58.9%.