The dissemination of information in Kenya relies too much on the printed word, which is not accessible to the rural population. Neither the press, nor libraries, nor broadcasting services really satisfy the information needs of rural people. An informal information system, combining the oral tradition and the print medium, began to flourish during the anti-colonial struggle. It demonstrates the importance of providing relevant information for the entire population, of organizing the system on a democratic basis and of regarding communication as a two-way process, using whatever media are most appropriate. Food kiosks act as informal centres for the exchange of information and could be developed into 'information kiosks' staffed by professional information workers.
