Elon Musk’s Starlink has introduced mandatory in-person identity verification for all its subscribers in Kenya, requiring them to provide national identity cards, postal addresses and phone numbers following directives from Kenyan authorities.
The move by local authorities to collect data from internet users is aimed at curbing the rising cases of cybercrime, amid growing surveillance and privacy concerns.
Users are required to visit authorized Starlink retailers with an ID card or passport for verification purposes after submitting their name, date of birth, gender, a photo of government-issued identification document, and a passport-sized photo online through their Starlink account.
Customers are expected to comply with the directive before April 30, 2026, failing which they risk internet service disruptions.
Starlink Subscriptions Surge 126%
As of September 30, 2026, Starlink subscriptions had reached 19,470, representing a 126.3% increase from 8,603 recorded in December 2024. The satellite internet provider commands a fixed data market share of 0.8%.
Listed telecommunications firm Safaricom PLC maintained lead in market shares at 35.6% with Jamii telecommunications Ltd and Wananchi Group Limited coming second and third with market shares of 20.4% and 11.8%, respectively.
