President William Ruto has publicly supported the entry of Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, into the Kenyan market, highlighting the benefits of increased competition.
Speaking at the Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable in New York, President Ruto acknowledged that his decision to welcome Starlink has stirred mixed reactions among local industry players.
“I have my CEO for Safaricom here, and sometimes he isn’t pleased with me for bringing in new players like Elon Musk,” he remarked. “However, I believe that competition is essential for progress. It keeps you on your toes, and I must commend Peter for rising to the challenge. He’s certainly upped his game.”
Starlink, which launched its services in Kenya in July 2023, aims to provide high-speed internet access, particularly in remote areas that traditional internet service providers may overlook.
Leveraging SpaceX’s network of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink delivers reliable internet with low latency, making it an attractive option for rural and underserved communities.
As Starlink begins to make its mark in Kenya’s internet landscape, Safaricom—Kenya’s long-standing telecommunications leader—finds itself facing increased competition.
In response, Safaricom has enhanced its offerings, including a recent upgrade in internet speeds for both home and business customers, designed to meet the escalating demand for high-speed connectivity.
In its latest initiative, Safaricom introduced an ultra-fast 1000 Mbps (gigabit per second) Platinum plan for Home Fibre, priced at Sh20,000 monthly.
This move follows Starlink’s provision of internet speeds of up to 200 Mbps for small businesses. By launching these new packages, Safaricom aims to cater to heavy users such as gamers, content creators, and those engaged in virtual reality applications.
As part of its efforts to remain competitive, Safaricom is also enhancing its 4G and 5G services alongside its fibre offerings. Current customers will be automatically upgraded to enjoy these faster speeds, ensuring they benefit from the latest advancements in technology.
Additionally, Safaricom has rolled out a Family Share plan, which integrates mobile voice, data, SMS, and home internet into a single, convenient package.
