“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 offers around 170 travel eSIM providers and more than 5, 400 prepaid data plans. With a wide variety of plan options, travelers can easily find an eSIM that fits their needs.

Are there any unlimited data eSIM plans available for Kenya?

Yes, there are unlimited data eSIM plans for Kenya. Providers such as Truely, Yesim, and Roamify offer unlimited data options with validity periods ranging from one to thirty days. Speed may be throttled or subject to limits on some plans, especially during peak times. The overall price range for these unlimited plans spans from approximately $7.92 to $268.29 USD, depending on the provider and validity chosen. This range provides travelers with several options to match their budget and data usage needs.

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 eSIMs that provide a phone number together with SMS capability can be found for Kenya. Providers such as GlobaleSIM, ESIM.DOG, JamboSim, Roamify, RedEx eSIM, Airhub and MoreMins eSIM offer such plans. Most of the options use the dialing code +1, so the number is a foreign (US) number that can receive and send voice calls and SMS messages while the device is in Kenya, although it will appear as a non‑local number on the local network. Only Airhub and RedEx eSIM supply a true Kenyan number with the dialing code +254, giving customers a local number and full call and SMS support. Prices for these plans start around $4.00 USD for a 1GB 7‑day bundle and rise to approximately $105.00 USD for 20GB 365‑day bundles, with validity periods ranging from 7 days to 365 days.

Summarized by AI, Last updated: Jul 18, 2026