Starlink has officially resumed new subscriptions in Nairobi and surrounding counties, ending a seven-month freeze that began in November 2024.
The suspension affected areas such as Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang’a and was triggered by a surge in demand that exceeded the satellite network’s capacity.
The pause was a necessary step as Starlink worked to expand its infrastructure and improve performance.
Now, with capacity upgrades complete and a local ground station live, the company is back and poised to shake up Kenya’s internet market.
Why Starlink Paused New Sign-Ups in Nairobi
Between mid-2024 and late 2024, Starlink saw explosive growth in Kenya, with its subscriber base increasing by over 101% in just a few months. However, this success brought challenges.
According to the company, its network had reached full capacity in key urban areas, making it impossible to support additional users without affecting service quality. To address this, Starlink temporarily halted new registrations while deploying infrastructure upgrades.
Infrastructure Upgrades
In January 2025, Starlink quietly installed a local ground station in Nairobi. This move dramatically increased network capacity and reduced latency for users in Kenya.
Now that these upgrades are operational, the company has reopened sign-ups in all previously affected counties, including
- Nairobi
- Kiambu
- Machakos
- Kajiado
- Murang’a
How Is Starlink Performing in Kenya Now?
Early feedback from new and existing users shows significant performance gains:
- Download speeds range between 50 and 150 Mbps.
- Upload speeds reach up to 15 Mbps.
- Latency has dropped from over 100 ms to as low as 18–40 ms.
These improvements make Starlink a viable option not just for rural users but also for urban residents seeking high-speed, low-latency internet, especially in areas where fiber connectivity is limited or unreliable.
Still, some users report occasional service fluctuations, especially during peak hours.
Regulatory Changes
Starlink’s return comes at a time of increasing regulatory scrutiny. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) has been monitoring service quality and has encouraged users to lodge complaints if issues persist.
In addition, the government is considering new licensing policies that could impact Starlink’s operations:
- A proposed increase in annual licensing fees from $12,000 to $115,000
- A new 0.4% levy on annual turnover
These changes are designed to create a level playing field between traditional ISPs and new satellite providers, but they also raise questions about long-term pricing and accessibility for end-users.
How Local ISPs Are Responding to Starlink
Starlink’s aggressive entry into Kenya’s market has forced legacy ISPs to adapt quickly. Safaricom, the country’s leading provider, is now
- Accelerating its 5G rollout
- Expanding fiber internet coverage, even in lower-density areas
- Advocating for tighter satellite regulations
Other providers, including Zuku and Faiba, are also investing in infrastructure upgrades to keep pace with rising customer expectations.
