“Used Voye while traveling in africa, had bad experience regarding the roaming operators, connectivity, speed, etc, comparing to other travel companions that used other esims with similar prices.”

F15

Dec 22, 2024

Kenya Travel eSIM FAQ

Everything you need to know about using eSIMs in Kenya

How many travel eSIM brands (providers) are available for use in Kenya, and how many prepaid data plans are there?

Kenya has more than 140 travel eSIM providers offering around 4, 100 prepaid data plans. This wide variety of options makes it easy for travelers to find an eSIM that suits their needs.

Are there any unlimited data eSIM plans available for Kenya?

Unlimited‑data eSIM options are available for travelers heading to Kenya. Truely offers plans that range from $7.92 to $151.07 USD, valid for 1 to 30 days, allowing tethering with potential speed throttling. Yesim provides unlimited plans priced between $9.87 and $114.93 USD for 1 to 15 days, also permitting tethering and subject to the same throttling policy. Roamify supplies unlimited plans from $10.00 to $90.00 USD, valid for 1 to 15 days, with tethering allowed and possible speed limits. abesteSIM offers unlimited plans ranging from $17.22 to $505.55 USD for 1 to 30 days, similarly permitting tethering and possibly throttling speeds. All of these providers deliver data over 5G networks.

What are the major mobile networks available for a travel eSIM in Kenya?

Kenya's mobile network infrastructure is primarily supported by the following major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs):

Safaricom: The largest mobile operator in Kenya, offering extensive voice, data, and mobile financial services through its M-Pesa platform.
Airtel Kenya: A subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, providing competitive voice and data services with a focus on expanding 4G network coverage.
Telkom Kenya: Partially owned by the Kenyan government and private investors, offering mobile voice and data services, as well as broadband and fixed-line services.
Faiba 4G (Jamii Telecommunications Limited): Focuses on providing high-speed 4G data services, catering to data-centric users with affordable packages.

In addition to these MNOs, Kenya has Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that offer mobile services by leasing access from major carriers. For example, Equitel, an MVNO under Finserve, operates on Airtel Kenya's network and has recently launched 5G services, marking a significant milestone in the region. However, it's important to note that most travel eSIMs rely on the infrastructure of MNOs rather than MVNOs.

Can I get a travel eSIM with a phone number and SMS for Kenya?

Travel eSIM plans that include a phone number capable of sending and receiving SMS are offered by several providers. Roamify, Esimtofly, LinkeSIM, Orange Travel, Earth Esim, and MoreMins eSIM provide such options for Kenya, although the phone number will not be a local Kenyan +254 number; instead the plans use numbers from the United States or Canada (+1), France (+33), or the United Kingdom (+44). Prices begin at about $15 for Roamify's 1 GB 7‑day package and rise to around $60 for Roamify's 25 GB 30‑day package, with validity periods ranging from 7 days to a full year depending on the provider.

These eSIMs support inbound and outbound voice calls and SMS, but they do not offer local Kenyan numbers or local SMS rates. If a local number is required, travelers would need to look for a data‑only eSIM or use internet messaging applications for communication.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: May 22, 2026