Starlink is losing momentum in Kenya, marking a decline in subscribers for the first time since its launch in mid-2023. Between December 2024 and March 2025, over 2,000 customers left the service amid rising competition from local telecom Safaricom.
Data from Kenya’s Communications Authority shows Starlink’s fixed internet subscribers fell to 17,066 by the end of Q1 2025, an 11% drop in just three months. This slide pushed Starlink down from seventh to eighth place among Kenyan internet providers.
The decline followed Starlink’s decision to pause new connections in major urban areas, such as Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos, due to overcapacity issues. Although a Nairobi ground station began operations in January 2025 to ease congestion, many users who paid around $348 for Starlink equipment faced long delays.
Despite reopening its waiting list, growth has stalled. Customers complain about connection delays, poor support, and a steep monthly fee of $50 for speeds up to 180 Mbps.
Safaricom has capitalised on this with cheaper 5G plans starting at $31 monthly for 50 Mbps. Its router prices have dropped dramatically from about $192 to just $23, making hardware far more affordable than Starlink’s.
This strategy paid off handsomely: Safaricom added nearly 57,000 fixed broadband users in Q1 2025, raising its market share to 36.5%. With Dimension Data overtaking it, Starlink’s share shrank from 1.1% to 0.9%.
Retailers like Carrefour are reducing their stock of Starlink kits, while Quickmart promotes Safaricom’s 5G routers, signalling a shift in consumer preferences.
Elon Musk’s early endorsements and local influencer hype are waning. Though Starlink controls 97% of Kenya’s satellite internet market, its dominance now appears fragile.
Regulatory pressures add to the strain. Kenya’s Communications Authority proposes raising satellite licence fees nearly tenfold to about $116,000, plus a 0.4% turnover levy. These measures aim to level the playing field but threaten Starlink’s profits.
Globally, Starlink added 1.5 million users in three months, reaching 5.36 million by March 2025, with Africa contributing 336,000 new users. However, Starlink’s journey in Kenya faces growing financial, political, and strategic challenges.
