Quick answer
CA Q4 FY2025/26 (Jun 2026): fixed data subs 2,838,656 (+32.4% y/y). Top 10: Safaricom 1,024,950 (36.1%), Jamii Telecom 541,003 (19.1%), Wananchi 294,375 (10.4%), Ahadi Wireless 270,586 (9.5%), Poa 248,601 (8.8%), Vilcom 186,240 (6.6%), Mawingu 105,275 (3.7%), Vijiji Connect 35,861 (1.3%), Starlink 27,616 (1.0%), Dimension Data 23,280 (0.8%), others 80,869. Tech: fibre 1,566,815, fixed wireless 1,030,770, cable 204,747, satellite 27,695, DSL 23. Shares Q1 Sep25 / Q2 Dec25 from CA reports.
Updated 25 October 2026
Kenya had 2,838,656 fixed internet subscriptions at the end of June 2026, up 32.4% in a year, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). Ten companies serve almost all of them, and one of them, Safaricom, has more than a third of the market. This review ranks the top 10 internet service providers (ISPs) in Kenya by the number of home and office connections they report to the regulator, explains what each type of connection means for you, and gives a short checklist for picking a provider. All figures come from the CA’s quarterly sector statistics reports for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Top 10 Internet Service Providers in Kenya by Subscriptions
The CA ranks fixed internet providers by the number of data subscriptions on their networks. These are home and business connections such as fibre, fixed wireless, cable and satellite, not mobile data bundles on your phone.
| Rank | Provider (company name in CA report) | Subscriptions, June 2026 | Market share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safaricom PLC | 1,024,950 | 36.1% |
| 2 | Jamii Telecommunications Ltd (Faiba) | 541,003 | 19.1% |
| 3 | Wananchi Group (Kenya) Ltd (Zuku) | 294,375 | 10.4% |
| 4 | Ahadi Wireless Ltd | 270,586 | 9.5% |
| 5 | Poa Internet Kenya Ltd | 248,601 | 8.8% |
| 6 | Vilcom Network Ltd | 186,240 | 6.6% |
| 7 | Mawingu Networks Ltd | 105,275 | 3.7% |
| 8 | Vijiji Connect Ltd | 35,861 | 1.3% |
| 9 | Starlink Internet Services Kenya | 27,616 | 1.0% |
| 10 | Dimension Data Solutions East Africa Ltd | 23,280 | 0.8% |
| All other providers | 80,869 | 2.8% |
The CA’s Wananchi figure also includes Wananchi Telecom and Simbanet.
How the Ranking Has Moved This Year
Comparing the CA’s reports for September 2025, December 2025 and June 2026 shows a market that is still consolidating at the top while smaller wireless players grow fast.
| Provider | Sep 2025 share | Dec 2025 share | Jun 2026 share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | 35.6% | 34.9% | 36.1% |
| Jamii Telecommunications | 20.4% | 20.1% | 19.1% |
| Wananchi Group | 11.8% | 11.1% | 10.4% |
| Poa Internet | 11.6% | 10.7% | 8.8% |
| Ahadi Wireless | 7.9% | 9.0% | 9.5% |
| Vilcom Network | 4.7% | 5.4% | 6.6% |
| Mawingu Networks | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Starlink | 0.8% | 0.9% | 1.0% |
Three trends stand out. Safaricom added about 210,000 connections between September 2025 and June 2026 and widened its lead. Ahadi Wireless and Vilcom grew quickly enough for Ahadi to pass Poa Internet for fourth place. Poa Internet’s subscriber count fell slightly between September 2025 and June 2026 even as the market grew, so its share dropped. Starlink, the satellite service, kept growing but still has about 1% of connections.
Fibre, Wireless, Cable or Satellite: What You Are Buying
How a provider reaches your home affects speed, reliability and where you can get service. The CA’s June 2026 report breaks connections down like this:
| Technology | Subscriptions, June 2026 | Growth in a year |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre optic | 1,566,815 | 29.7% |
| Terrestrial (fixed) wireless | 1,030,770 | 42.9% |
| Cable modem | 204,747 | 4.2% |
| Satellite | 27,695 | 54.4% |
| Other fixed (mainly radio) | 8,606 | 471.1% |
| DSL (copper) | 23 | down 25.8% |
- Fibre is the most common connection and usually the most stable. It needs a cable to your building, so it is strongest in towns and estates where providers have laid fibre.
- Fixed wireless sends the signal by radio from a nearby mast to an antenna or router at your home. It is quicker to install and reaches places without fibre, which is why it is the fastest-growing large category. The CA links the rise in radio connections to roll-outs by Airtel, Jamii Telecommunications and Fiberlink.
- Cable modem runs over coaxial TV cable, the technology behind many older home packages.
- Satellite works almost anywhere with a clear view of the sky, which suits rural homes, farms and remote sites. It is usually the most expensive option.
- DSL over copper phone lines has all but disappeared. Only 23 connections were left in June 2026.
What Speeds Kenyans Actually Get
The CA also reports subscriptions by speed band. In June 2026, the largest group, 1,087,316 connections, were on plans between 2 and 10 Mbps. Another 946,369 were on 10 to 30 Mbps, 385,913 on 30 to 100 Mbps and 263,386 on 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Only 1,853 connections in the whole country were on 1 Gbps or faster. Most satellite connections were in the 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps band, while most fixed wireless plans were below 10 Mbps.
For a household that streams video on two or three screens and joins video calls, a plan in the 10 to 30 Mbps range is a common starting point. Heavier users and small offices often move to 30 Mbps or more.
How to Choose an Internet Provider
- Check coverage first. Every provider’s website has a coverage checker. Fibre is only an option if the provider has cabled your building or estate.
- Compare the same speed. Line up plans at the speed you need rather than comparing the cheapest package from each company.
- Ask about installation and the router. Some providers charge an installation or equipment fee and others include it. Ask whether the router stays the provider’s property.
- Ask neighbours about reliability. Outages and repair times vary by area more than by brand.
- Look at how you pay. Most providers bill monthly through M-Pesa paybill or till. Check whether service stops the day the payment is late.
- Read the contract terms. Note any minimum period, the notice needed to cancel and what happens to your deposit.
If you are considering Safaricom, our Safaricom Home Fibre FAQ answers the common questions about packages, installation and payments.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the biggest internet provider in Kenya?
Safaricom, with 1,024,950 fixed internet subscriptions and a 36.1% market share in June 2026, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya.
How many people have home internet in Kenya?
The CA counted 2,838,656 fixed internet subscriptions at the end of June 2026, up from 2,144,713 a year earlier.
Is fibre better than wireless internet?
Fibre is usually more stable and supports higher speeds. Fixed wireless is easier to install and reaches areas without fibre, but speeds are often lower.
How many people use Starlink in Kenya?
The CA reported 27,616 Starlink subscriptions in June 2026, about 1% of fixed internet connections.
Where does this ranking come from?
From the CA’s quarterly sector statistics reports, which compile the subscription numbers that licensed operators must file with the regulator.
Sources: Communications Authority of Kenya, Sector Statistics Reports for Q1 (July to September 2025), Q2 (October to December 2025) and Q4 (April to June 2026) of the 2025/2026 financial year: fixed data subscriptions by operator, fixed internet subscriptions by technology, and fixed data and broadband subscriptions by speed.
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