Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, is experiencing a sharp contraction in Kenya with subscriber figures declining in the first quarter of 2025 as local consumers return to faster and more affordable alternatives.
According to the latest data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, Starlink lost over 2,000 users during Q1, representing a decline of more than 10% of its local subscriber base.
In contrast, the broader fixed internet market in the country expanded by 8% during the same period, indicating growing consumer preference for established local service providers.
The downturn comes less than two years after Starlink’s high-profile entry into Kenya in 2023, where it initially gained traction among urban users looking for resilient broadband access amid internet blackouts during nationwide protests.
At its peak, the company capitalized on fears of government censorship and service disruption, offering satellite-based connectivity as a perceived workaround to terrestrial infrastructure vulnerabilities.
However, rising costs, underwhelming speeds and lack of local support have diminished Starlink’s appeal.
Analysts report that many early adopters, particularly in urban areas like Nairobi, have since disconnected their satellite dishes in favor of traditional fiber and fixed wireless services with better price-to-performance ratios.
“People made an emotional purchase,” said Chris Orwa, a Nairobi-based data analyst who subscribed to Starlink during the 2023 internet shutdowns. “If they had sat down and compared it with other options, it would have been the worst option.”
Starlink currently offers a basic residential plan at 4,000 Kenyan shillings ($31) per month with an upfront hardware cost of 27,000 shillings.
However, users seeking higher priority service must pay at least 6,500 shillings monthly with some users reporting charges as high as 15,000 shillings due to bandwidth congestion and tiered service upgrades.
Despite marketing download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, Starlink’s median performance in Kenya stood at just 47 Mbps as of May 2025, according to Ookla’s Speedtest report.
In some cases, users reported speeds as low as 10 Mbps, significantly below the 100 Mbps benchmark often cited as optimal for modern digital usage.
Technical support challenges have further undermined consumer confidence. Starlink operates without a physical presence in Kenya and subscribers report unresolved service complaints through the company’s online platform.
“The support wasn’t sufficient when my hardware started failing,” Orwa noted, referencing an unresolved complaint lodged in October 2024.
Meanwhile, local internet service providers have responded to market shifts by enhancing their offerings.
According to technology analyst Moses Kemibaro, competitors have introduced more attractive packages with greater bandwidth at lower prices, further reducing Starlink’s competitiveness in the urban segment.
Despite setbacks, Starlink maintains operational advantages in rural and underserved regions where conventional infrastructure is lacking.
The satellite network, powered by over 8,000 low-Earth orbit satellites, enables internet access in remote areas with limited terrestrial coverage.
Paul Akwabi, founder of Tech Kidz Africa, affirmed Starlink’s continued relevance outside major cities. Since adopting the service last year, his organization has expanded digital learning programs from 30,000 to over 160,000 students in rural schools.
“Our tech labs now teach coding and robotics in places that had no internet before,” Akwabi said, adding that performance often exceeds 200 Mbps in remote areas.
As of Q1 2025, Starlink had approximately 17,000 subscribers in Kenya, ranking it eighth among fixed internet providers. The dominant player, Safaricom PLC, maintains over 680,000 fixed broadband subscribers nationwide.
Looking ahead, analysts say Starlink’s future in Kenya hinges on its ability to adapt to local market dynamics.
Ben Roberts, former CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Kenya, stated that rural expansion presents a viable growth path. “If they focus more on rural customers, they’re certainly going to get more numbers,” he said.