Starlink’s customer numbers in Kenya have dropped for the first time since its launch in June 2023, highlighting the impact of a seven-month freeze on new sign-ups and growing pressure from local rivals, such as Safaricom’s 5G routers.
New data from the Communications Authority (CA) shows that Starlink’s fixed internet subscriptions fell from over 19,000 in Q4 2024 to 17,066 by the end of March 2025, a decline of more than 2,000 users, or about 11% in one quarter.
The drop from seventh to the eighth largest ISP in Kenya follows a service pause that began in late 2024, when Starlink stopped accepting new users in Nairobi and nearby counties, including Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang’a.
The company cited overcapacity, caused by too many users trying to connect in the same areas. A new ground station in Nairobi, activated in January, was meant to ease the load. Many customers had already bought the hardware but remained on waitlists for months.
While availability has reopened, the pause has stalled user growth. Some customers may have also chosen to stop paying the monthly KES 6,500 ($50) fee for its 180 Mbps plan, due to connection delays, unresolved technical issues, or switching to cheaper services.
Safaricom’s fixed 5G packages, for instance, now start at KES 3,000 ($23) a month, with routers retailing at a fraction of the price of a Starlink kit (KES 3000 = $23). The latest Starlink kit goes for KES 45,000 ($348).
Safaricom has not disclosed the number of customers using its 5G routers, although it has promoted adoption through aggressive marketing campaigns on its social media channels and sales teams in peri-urban areas.
The subscription drop comes even as Starlink remains one of the few viable options for users in peri-urban and remote areas, where fibre and mobile coverage is weak. For many of these users, Starlink offers faster speeds than legacy ISPs, but at a higher cost and without the benefit of local customer support.
Retail momentum has also slowed. Supermarket chains like Carrefour have scaled back on Starlink kits, while others like Quickmart now promote Safaricom 5G routers instead.
Although Starlink’s name recognition remains strong, thanks to social media buzz and endorsements from Elon Musk, regulatory hurdles could add pressure. The Kenyan government plans to raise satellite licence fees nearly tenfold and add a 0.4% turnover levy.
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