Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, has slipped to ninth place in Kenya’s fixed internet market, according to new data from the Communications Authority.
Figures for the final quarter of the 2024/25 financial year show Starlink had 17,425 subscriptions by June. That is up slightly from 17,066 in March, but still only 0.8 percent of the market. The rise in users was not enough to prevent the company sliding down the rankings as competitors grew faster.
Starlink entered Kenya in July 2023 to much fanfare, offering fast connections and slashing hardware prices from KSh74,000 to KSh29,000. It even introduced a smaller “Mini” kit at KSh27,000. At one point, the company froze new sign-ups due to capacity constraints, halting fresh subscriptions in late 2024 and only resuming in Nairobi and neighbouring counties this June.
Analysts say those pauses dented its early momentum. “The demand is there, but restricting new connections gave rivals space to consolidate,” said one Nairobi-based telecoms analyst.
Meanwhile, Safaricom has widened its lead, growing from 678,118 subscriptions in March to 735,749 by June. Its market share slipped slightly, from 36.5 to 34.3 percent, but it remains firmly on top. Jamii Telecommunications followed with 442,076 users, or 20.6 percent of the market.
Wananchi Group and Poa Internet were virtually neck and neck at around 12 percent each, while Ahadi Wireless made its debut in the top ten with 7.5 percent. Smaller firms such as Vilcom (4.1 percent) and Mawingu Networks (3.6 percent) also strengthened their positions.
For Starlink, the challenge remains clear: sustaining growth in a crowded market dominated by well-established local players. The company’s appeal—speed and flexibility—has yet to translate into lasting market share gains.
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