“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 130 providers and more than 3, 900 prepaid data plans, offering travelers a wide variety of options to choose from.

Are there any unlimited data eSIM plans available for Kenya?

Yes, several eSIM providers offer unlimited data plans for Kenya. The available options come from Truely, Roamify, Yesim, and Yoho Mobile. Prices for these unlimited plans span from roughly $7.92 to $453.19 USD, depending on provider and validity period. All of the plans allow tethering but may involve speed throttling; Yoho Mobile goes further by limiting the maximum speed to 5 Mbps.

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 and SMS capability are available for Kenya. Providers that offer these plans include GlobaleSIM, LinkeSIM, Esimtofly, Earth Esim, Orange Travel, TravelKon, and others such as Roamify. Prices for these plans start at about $4 USD for a 1 GB, 7‑day GlobaleSIM plan, and extend to longer validity periods of up to 60 days with higher‑capacity packages; prices generally range from a few dollars to around $100 USD depending on data size and duration.

All of the listed plans supply a phone number, but none use the local Kenyan dialing code (+254). Instead, the numbers are issued from foreign dialing codes such as +1 (United States), +44 (United Kingdom), and +33 (France). Each plan supports inbound and outbound voice calls as well as inbound SMS, and many offer outbound SMS too. Travelers can therefore receive calls and texts on the eSIM number while in Kenya, though the number will not be a local Kenyan number. The validity of the plans typically starts at 7 days and can go up to 60 days, so travelers can choose a duration that matches their visit length.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: May 1, 2026