Starlink has emerged as Kenya’s eighth-largest internet service provider (ISP), surpassing established competitors such as Liquid Telecommunications. The company, owned by Elon Musk, has successfully expanded its subscriber base to 16,746, capturing a 1.1% share of the market, according to the latest data from Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA). This growth marks a significant leap from being the tenth-largest ISP in June 2024, indicating Starlink’s dominance in Kenya’s satellite internet sector. In contrast, other satellite ISPs like Viasat, Indigo Telecom, and NTvsat have struggled, each boasting fewer than 300 subscribers, and may face the prospect of exiting the market.

Starlink’s rapid ascent is largely driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet in Kenya, particularly in areas where fixed broadband services are unavailable. However, this growth has also sparked policy concerns among regulators and competitors alike. Kenya’s telecom regulator has proposed a substantial increase in fees for satellite internet providers, a move that has been prompted by apprehensions from rival ISPs, including Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, and Jamii Telecoms, regarding Starlink’s swift rise.
The proposed regulations would see the cost of a 15-year license skyrocket from $12,302 to $115,331, alongside the introduction of an annual levy of 0.4% on gross turnover. These stringent regulations could potentially favor established ISPs while posing challenges for smaller players. Satellite ISPs like Viasat and NTvsat, already struggling with fewer than 300 subscribers, may find it increasingly difficult to absorb the higher costs and expand their services in remote areas, potentially leading to their exit from the market.
In December 2024, Starlink began routing its African users through a dedicated ground facility in Nairobi, Kenya, known as a “point of presence.” This facility allows Starlink’s space-based network to connect more efficiently with terrestrial internet infrastructure. Users have reported significant performance improvements, with average latency for Kenyan users dropping from 120 milliseconds (ms) to just 26 ms following this upgrade.
To further enhance its appeal, Starlink has introduced several customer incentives since April 2024. Notably, a promotional offer between April and May 2024 reduced the price of the installation kit from $688 (KES 89,000) to approximately $348 (KES 45,000). The company has also revamped its pricing strategy to attract a broader subscriber base, launching a competitive 50GB data plan for $10 (KES 1,300), significantly undercutting Airtel’s $23 (KES 3,000) and Safaricom’s $39 (KES 5,000) offerings.
In August 2024, Starlink introduced a hardware rental plan aimed at lowering entry costs for new customers. Looking ahead, the company plans to launch satellites in 2025 that will enable direct internet access to mobile devices, eliminating the need for hardware kits altogether. This innovative approach is expected to further solidify Starlink’s position in the Kenyan market and enhance internet accessibility across the region.