Shela Primary, in Lamu County is set to become the first in the coastal region to adopt a digital library system enabling learning without the internet.
Students and teachers at Shela Primary School can now access Wikipedia and thousands of educational resources without an internet connection, following the installation of Kiwix for Schools, a digital library system designed for offline use.
The initiative, launched this week by Knowledge Empowering Youth (KEY) Libraries in partnership with Wikimedia Kenya and Kiwix, comes as Wikipedia celebrates its 25th anniversary as the world’s largest free online encyclopedia.
Kiwix is a software application that stores digital content offline, allowing users to browse Wikipedia and other educational materials on local devices without requiring internet connectivity that is a critical feature in areas like Lamu County where internet access remains limited and unreliable.
“The lack of Internet access should not be seen as an impassable barrier to internet content,” Gladys Kerich, Programs Manager, KEY Libraries stated
The program included hands-on training sessions for teachers at Shela Primary, equipping them with skills to integrate Wikipedia into their classroom instruction.
During the function teachers learned how to use the platform to support digital literacy, guide pupil research, teach fact-checking, and increase learner engagement across subjects.
Kerich also emphasized the role of libraries in supporting education in under-served communities.
“Libraries are at the heart of student learning, strengthening both educational outcomes and the communities students are part of, especially in underserved areas such as Lamu,” she said.
She further stated that by adopting the Kiwix for Schools activation at Shela Primary School, we are advancing our mission to provide equitable access to knowledge adding that initiatives like this ensure that libraries remain relevant hubs for education, innovation, and community engagement.
The educator further revealed that the Shela library installation represents the first step in a broader rollout in which Kiwix Lhas launched in 46 libraries across Kenya with plans to expand the Kiwix system to all its facilities nationwide.
Michael Maua, Coast Regional Coordinator for Wikimedia Kenya, who also spoke during the launch stated that the collaboration addresses a persistent challenge facing many Kenyan schools.
“Access to reliable information remains a challenge in many underserved communities,” Maua said, adding that this collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing equity in access to information, digital literacy, and to empowering educators and learners with tools that work even in low-connectivity environments.
He further reiterated that the timing of the Shela launch coincides with Wikipedia’s 25th anniversary, since its founding in 2001, the free online encyclopedia has grown to include more than 60 million articles in over 300 languages, making it one of the most-visited websites globally.
The partnership brings together three organizations focused on expanding educational access: KEY Libraries, which works to strengthen community libraries and digital skills; Wikimedia Kenya, which promotes free knowledge through Wikipedia and related projects; and Kiwix, which specializes in providing offline access to digital educational content.
For students at Shela Primary School, the new system means they can now research topics ranging from science and history to geography and current events—resources previously difficult to access due to connectivity constraints.
The initiative is expected to benefit at least 400 pupils at the school and potentially more pupils and students across Amu Island as the program expands across KEY’s library network in the coming months.
