Starlink subscription numbers decay by 11% in Kenya, with Safaricom's 5G routers capturing consumer preferences.
In a seven-month period, from November 2024 to July 2025, Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider, experienced a significant setback in Kenya. The company put a hold on new sign-ups in Nairobi and surrounding counties, including Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang'a, due to network capacity overload from excessive demand [1][3].
This pause in service has had a profound impact on Starlink's market position. The company's active user base in Kenya dropped by about 11%, from over 19,000 subscribers in late 2024 to 17,066 by March 2025 [2][3][4]. This decline marked the first time Starlink experienced a drop in its subscriber numbers since launching in Kenya in mid-2023. Consequently, Starlink's market share fell from 1.1% in December 2024 to 0.9% by March 2025, pushing it down from the seventh to the eighth largest internet service provider (ISP) in Kenya [2][3][4].
Meanwhile, local rivals have capitalised on Starlink's subscription freeze and service challenges. Safaricom, Kenya’s largest ISP, added 56,969 new fixed internet users in the same period, while Jamii Telecommunications also gained 12,663 users, and Dimension Data Solutions surpassed Starlink in rankings [2][3][4].
Some Starlink users reportedly switched to cheaper or more reliable services like Safaricom’s 5G routers due to connection delays and unresolved technical issues during the pause [2][3][4]. The pause in service has stalled user growth for Starlink, and the company has dropped to the eighth largest ISP in Kenya following the service pause.
A new ground station in Nairobi, activated in January, was meant to ease the load for Starlink users. However, the decline in Starlink's customer numbers in Kenya is attributed to the seven-month freeze on new sign-ups and growing pressure from local rivals, such as Safaricom’s 5G routers, which now start at KES 3,000 ($23) a month, making them significantly cheaper than Starlink's services [5].
For users in peri-urban and remote areas, Starlink remains one of the few viable options, offering faster speeds than legacy ISPs but at a higher cost and without the benefit of local customer support. Retail momentum for Starlink kits has slowed, with supermarket chains like Carrefour scaling back on Starlink kits and others like Quickmart promoting Safaricom 5G routers instead [5].
The Kenyan government's plans to raise satellite licence fees nearly tenfold and add a 0.4% turnover levy could add further pressure to Starlink's operations [6]. However, it is yet to be seen how Starlink will navigate these challenges and regain its market position in Kenya.
References: [1] Techweez (2024). Starlink Freezes New Customer Sign-ups in Kenya. [online] Available at: https://www.techweez.com/2024/11/starlink-freezes-new-customer-sign-ups-in-kenya/ [2] Business Daily Africa (2025). Starlink Loses Market Share in Kenya. [online] Available at: https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/telecoms/starlink-loses-market-share-in-kenya/ [3] The Standard (2025). Starlink's Subscription Freeze in Kenya: Impact and Future Prospects. [online] Available at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001381325/starlinks-subscription-freeze-in-kenya-impact-and-future-prospects [4] ITWeb Africa (2025). Starlink Struggles in Kenya as Local Competition Heats Up. [online] Available at: https://www.itweb.co.za/content/Z40Gj2dJkKkY66u [5] The Nairobian (2025). Safaricom's 5G Routers Gain Momentum as Starlink Struggles. [online] Available at: https://www.the-nairobiain.com/2025/04/safaricoms-5g-routers-gain-momentum-as-starlink-struggles/ [6] The Star (2025). Kenya Government Plans to Increase Satellite Licence Fees. [online] Available at: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025/04/26/kenya-government-plans-to-increase-satellite-licence-fees_c1653688
- The pause in Starlink's service and the subsequent growth of local rivals, such as Safaricom's 5G routers, have made many users consider switching to more affordable and reliable alternatives in the mobile finance sector, posing a threat to Starlink's business in technology.
- The decline in Starlink's market share and the growth of competitors like Safaricom’s 5G routers, which now start at KES 3,000 ($23) a month, can be attributed to the seven-month service freeze and the ongoing challenges in the mobile technology sector, potentially impacting Starlink's long-term business prospects in Kenya.
