📡 Telecom Networks in Kenya: 5-Year Comparison & Consumer Guide (2019–2025)
Published: July 25, 2025
By Accend Digital News Team
Overview: Kenya’s Rapid Digital Shift
Kenya’s telecommunications industry has undergone significant transformation in the past five years. With over 53 million active SIM cards, mobile broadband adoption nearing full penetration, and a dynamic race in 4G and 5G deployment, Kenyans now have more choices—and questions—than ever before.At Accend Digital Solutions, we analyzed the current telecom landscape to empower businesses and everyday users to make informed decisions when choosing a network provider.
| Provider | Mobile SIM Share | Broadband Share | 5G Rollout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | ~65.7% | ~63.1% | Active in major towns |
| Airtel | ~29.6% | ~32.6% | Launched 2023 |
| Telkom Kenya | ~1.7% | Minimal | Not yet deployed |
📈 Market Share Snapshot (As of Mid-2025)
The market remains largely a two-horse race, with Safaricom and Airtel controlling over 95% of Kenya’s mobile and broadband traffic.
📶 Coverage & Performance
Safaricom
- Pros: Widest national reach, stable M‑Pesa services, early 5G adoption, fast mobile internet.
- Cons: High costs, frequent complaints about fast-depleting bundles, data throttling under "unlimited" packages.
Airtel Kenya
- Pros: Strong urban coverage, competitive pricing, favourable data bundle value, growing 5G network, growing interest for Airtel Money, thus more agents emerging.
- Cons: Slower expansion in remote areas, occasional latency issues.
Telkom Kenya
- Pros: Budget-friendly bundles.
- Cons: Poor rural coverage, limited broadband reliability, frequent customer service concerns, Difficulties in sim replacement services.
🧠What Should Kenyans Look for in a Network?
Whether you are a small business owner, digital nomad, or content creator, here’s what to consider when choosing a provider:
- Coverage in Your Region – Use test SIMs to confirm signal strength.
- Value for Data – Check per-GB cost and throttling policies.
- Mobile Money Ecosystem – Safaricom remains dominant for M‑Pesa, while Airtel Money is catching up fast due to its free money transfer deal.
- 5G Availability – If you rely on high-speed internet for business or streaming.
- Reliability and Transparency – Consider app performance, hidden charges, and customer feedback.
💡 Our Insight
The trend is clear: Airtel is catching up fast, especially in the urban and SME segments, while Safaricom maintains an edge through its infrastructure and ecosystem. Telkom risks falling further behind unless significant upgrades are made.As digital strategists, we recommend benchmark testing in your locality and evaluating data rollover policies, hidden renewals, and FUP (Fair Usage Policies) before fully committing to a provider.
📣 Our Take...
Kenya’s telecom evolution reflects a larger digital transformation—and consumers are at the heart of it. At Accend Digital Solutions, we continue to monitor and evaluate ICT infrastructure trends to help you stay connected and make smart tech choices.Have questions about integrating mobile solutions into your business? Talk to us today – we’ll guide you through digital transformation that delivers.
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