“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?

There are over 180 travel eSIM providers and more than 6, 200 prepaid data plans available for use in Kenya. 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?

Yes, a number of eSIM providers list unlimited data plans that cover Kenya. The options come from Truely, Yesim, Roamify and abesteSIM, all of which offer 5G connectivity and allow tethering, though speed may be throttled after a certain data threshold. Validity ranges for these unlimited plans extend from one day to up to thirty days, with abesteSIM offering plans that are valid for up to twenty days. The available price spectrum for unlimited data spans from approximately $7.92 USD to around $338.47 USD, allowing travelers to choose a plan that matches their duration of stay and data appetite.

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 options that include a phone number and SMS capability are available for Kenya. Providers that offer such plans include GlobaleSIM, ESIM.DOG, JamboSim, Roamify, Airhub and RedEx eSIM. All of these plans supply a phone number in Kenya, although the dialing code varies. GlobaleSIM, ESIM.DOG, JamboSim and Roamify issue numbers with the +1 dialing code, which is not a Kenyan mobile code, so these numbers are foreign. Airhub and RedEx eSIM use the +254 dialing code, giving you a local Kenyan phone number. The voice and SMS services are generally inbound and outbound, with some GlobaleSIM Kenya plans offering only inbound SMS and outbound voice; most other providers give full inbound and outbound voice and SMS. Prices for these plans start around $4 for 1 GB 7‑day packages and rise to about $60 for 15 GB 30‑day packages, while validity periods range from 7 to 30 days depending on the chosen data cap.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: Aug 5, 2026