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Kenya

From Droam Prepaid SIM Encyclopedia

Cellular Operators

Kenya Safaricom

It's a leading mobile network operator in Kenya. It uses GSM, UMTS, HSDPA, WiMAX technologies.

APN settings

  • username: saf (or) web
  • password: data (or) web
  • APN name: safaricom (or) web.safaricom.com

dial-up connection number: *99# or *99***1#

Airtel Kenya

GSM-operator

dial-up connection number: *99# (unconfirmed)

APN settings

  • username: (blank) or internet
  • password: (blank) or internet
  • APN name: ke.celtel.com

Telkom Kenya Limited (Orange Kenya)

GSM-operator

APN settings

  • username: orange
  • password: orange
  • APN name: bew.orange.co.ke

Essar Telecom Kenya (Yu)

GSM-operator

Seems to have gone out of business; customers are moved to Airtel

APN settings

  • username: (blank)
  • password: (blank)
  • APN name: mobilenet (or) internet

Prepaid plans

Kenya Safaricom

Kenya Safaricom offers follwoing Mobile Internet bundles:

Data Voluma Price In Bundle Price (KES per MB) Out of Bundle Price (KES per MB) Validity Period
5 MB 5 KES / 0.06$ 1.00 KES / 0.01$ 4 KES / 0.05$ 24 hours
10 MB 8 KES / 0.10$ 0.80 KES / 0.01$
25 MB 20 KES / 0.24$ 0.80 KES / 0.01$

To order one of the above bundles dial *544#.

To check your prepaid balance send SMS with Balance to 450.

Here are prepaid Data bundles to be chosen for your PC/laptop:

Data Volume Price In Bundle Price (KES per MB) Out of Bundle Price (KES per MB) Validity Period
50 MB 100 KES / 1.21$ 2.00 KES / 0.02$ 8 KES / 0.10$ 30 days
200 MB 250 KES / 3.03$ 1.25 KES / 0.02$
500 MB 499 KES / 6.04$ 1.00 KES / 0.01$
1.5 GB 999 KES / 12.08$ 0.65 KES / 0.008$
3 GB 1,999 KES / 24.17$ 0.65 KES / 0.008$
4 GB 2,499 KES / 30.21$ 0.61 KES / 0.007$
8 GB 3,999 KES / 48.33$ 0.49 KES / 0.006$
20 GB 9,999 KES / 120.85$ 90 days
30 GB 14,999 KES / 181.26$


To activate one of the bundles send an SMS from your Safaricom mobile number with the bundle price to 450. For example, to get a bundle of 500 MB, send 499 to 450. Once you've done it you will receive an SMS informing you of the status of activation of the bundle.

Kenya Safaricom offers Weekly Unlimited Internet Access and Monthly Unlimited Internet Access:

  • Weekly Unlimited Internet Access it is valid for 7 days and costs 1000 KES / 12.08$. To activate it send an SMS with the price to 450 ( that is SMS with 1000 to 450).
  • Monthly Unlimited Internet Access is valid for 30 days and costs 3000 KES / 36.25$. To activate it send an SMS with the price to 450. ( that is SMS with 3000 to 450).

How to top up

To top you you mobile account you can use one of the following ways:

  • Scratch cards:
Card name Price Validity
Bamba 5 5 KES / 0.06$ 30 days
Bamba 10 10 KES / 0.12$ 45 days
Bamba 20 20 KES / 0.24$ 90 days
Bamba 50 50 KES / 0.60$
Bamba 100 100 KES / 1.21$
Bamba 250 250 KES / 3.02$
Bamba 500 500 KES / 6.04$
Bamba 1000 1,000 KES / 12.08$ 120 days
  • ATM top-up - follwoing Commercial Banks are participating: I&M Bank, National Bank of Kenya, Co-operative Bank, ABC Bank, Equity Bank, KCB, Eco Bank. The service enables PrePay subscribers who operate accounts with the mentioned banks to buy Safaricom airtime at any of the ATMs available countrywide;
  • Sambaza - it is an airtime sharing service enabling both PostPay and PrePay subscribers to share airtime with their family and friends. You can either

a) send SMS - Create a new SMS message and enter airtime value you want to share, than # and the mobile number you want to top-up, e.g. 30#0722123456. Send it to 140. Wait for SMS confirmation. Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive an SMS notification upon successful top-up.

or

b) use USSD - dial *140* < Airtime value you would like to share >*< mobile number you want to top-up> #, e.g. *140*30*0722123456#. Press the CALL/OK button. Both you and the person receiving the airtime will receive an SMS notification upon successful top-up.

  • Inderect Top-up - This service enables subscribers to top up their family and friends directly using a scratch card without the need to transfer airtime from their individual accounts.

Via SMS: Create SMS containing the following < 12-digit scratch card code >#< mobile number you want to top up >'. And send it to 141. Via USSD: Key in *141*< 12-digit scratch card code >*< mobile number you want to top-up># and press CALL/OK button.

  • Okoa Jahaz - it's a service that enables PrePay subscriber’s access airtime on credit and pay later.

How to use Okoa Jahazi: Dial *131#, press CALL button and select your preferred Okoa Jahazi airtime amount. To check your Okoa Jahazi airtime balance dial *144*4# and press CALL button.

Requested Amount Service Fee Airtime Received
100 KES / 1.21$ 10 KES / 0.12$ 90 KES / 1.09$
50 KES / 0.60$ 5 KES / 0.06$ 45 KES / 0.54$
20 KES / 0.24$ 2 KES / 0.02$ 18 KES / 0.22$
10 KES / 0.12$ 1 KES / 0.01$ 9 KES / 0.11$

From the table above, if you have requested for example 20 KES / 0.24$, you will receive 18 KES which means 2 KES / 0.02$ will have been deducted in advance. In your next top up 20 KES / 0.24$ will be deducted which is the original amount you had requested for. The amount requested must be equal to your airtime spent for the last 7 days, e.g. if you request 50 KES / 0.60$, then you must have used airtime worth 50 KES / 0.60$ over the last 7 days.

Airtel Kenya

Airtel Kenya offers following Mobile Broadband bundles:

Volume Price
10 MB 8 KES / 0.10$
25 MB 20 KES / 0.24$
100 MB 100 KES / 1.21$
300 MB 250 KES / 3.03$
1 GB 750 KES / 9.09$
2 GB 1,000 KES / 12.12$

There are also:

  • Unlimited prepaid internet plan valid for 30 days at the cost of 3,250 KES / 39.39$;
  • Pay as you go Plan at the cost of 7 KES / 0.08$ per 1 MB.

To activate one of the bundles dial *111# from your phone or the airtel menu on your modem to select your plan.

How to top up

You can top up your Kenya Airtel account using top-up vouchers. Just buy a top-up voucher, gently scretch the foil off its back, dial *122*< 14-digit code from top-up voucher ># and then press Send. Your phone will display your new credit balance after your top up card has been credited to your account.

To check your balance dial *133# and then press Send. Your phone will display your current credit balance.

Orange Kenya

Orange Kenya Internet on Mobile (IOM) offers:

Data Bundle Bundle Cost Validity Period How to activate
50 MB 100 KES / 1.21$ 30 days Call *123*350#
100 MB 150 KES / 1.82$ Call *123*3100#
500 MB 500 KES / 6.06$ Call *123*3500#
1 GB 750 KES / 9.09$ Call *123*31000#

Unlimited Offers:

Prepaid Offer Price Validity Period FUP
Daily offer 39 KES / 0.47$ 1 day 100MB
Weekly offer 249 KES / 3.02$ 7 days 500MB
Monthly offer 990 KES / 11.99$ 30 days 2GB

* FUP (Fair Use Policy) Speed to be reduced to 2G after FUP limit

You can offer one of the unlimited packs using following steps - on your mobile dial #123#, select Offers -> internet bundles -> Unlimited internet bundles ->Daily/weekly/monthly internet bundle->Confirm. Note that Daily offer is automatically renewed after 24 hours. To unsubscribe dial #123#, select Offers -> internet bundles -> Unlimited internet bundles ->Daily internet bundle -> Unsubscribe->Confirm.

Prepaid 3G internet tariffs for your PC/laptop:

Data bundle Data bundle size (MB) Price Price per MB Validity period Pay as You Go Offer Modem Cost
50 MB 50 100 KES / 1.21$ 2.00 KES / 0.2$ 30 days 4 KES / 0.05$ per MB on pay as you

GO down from 7 KES / 0.08$ per MB

1,799 KES / 21.79$
100 MB 100 150 KES / 1.82$ 1.50 KES / 0.02$
500 MB 500 500 KES / 6.06$ 1.00 KES / 0.01$
1 GB 1024 750 KES / 9.09$ 0.75 KES / 0.009$
5 GB 5120 2,750 KES / 33.31$ 0.54 KES / 0.007$
10 GB 10240 4,990 KES / 60.45$ 0.48 KES / 0.006$
15 GB 15360 5,990 KES / 72.56$ 0.39 KES / 0.005$
20 GB 20480 7,990 KES / 96.79$ 0.39 KES / 0.005$ 60 days

There are also two Unlimited 3G internet offers:

Prepaid Offer Price Validity FUP
Weekly offer 990 KES / 11.99$ 7 days 10 GB
Monthly offer 2990 KES / 36.22$ 30 days 20 GB

* FUP (Fair Use Policy) Speed to be reduced to 2G after FUP limit

Prepaid 3G+ internet tariffs for your PC/laptop:

Bundle size Price Validity Period Device Cost
100 MB 150 KES / 1.82$ 30 days 2,990 KES / 36.22$
200 MB 250 KES / 3.03$
400 MB 450 KES / 5.45$
1000 MB 850 KES / 10.30$
2000 MB 1,500 KES / 18.17$
4000 MB 2,200 KES / 26.65$
8000 MB 3,900 KES / 47.24$
10000 MB 4,990 KES
14000 MB 6,490 KES / 78.62$
20000 MB 9,490 KES
Unlimited 990 KES / 11.99$ 7 days

How to top up

You can top up your Orange account with the help of top-up cards - just send 12-digit card number to 430.

Yu

Yu offers a prepaid mobile plan called Amua

Conditions Charges
Calls
Yu to Yu - 6am to 6pm Free
Yu to Yu - 6pm to 6 am 3.00 KES / 0.04$
Yu to other networks 3.00 KES / 0.04$
SMS
Yu to Yu 1.00 KES / 0.01 $
Yu to other networks 1.00 KES / 0.01$
Other
Data 5.00 KES / 0.06$
MMS 5.00 KES / 0.06$

Note: 4 KES / 0.05$ are charged on the first minute of Yu to Yu call.

To activate Amua tariff SMS amua to 145.

Moreover, there are even more Yu data bundles, to access them dial *156# on your phone and choose from the menu any data bundle oyou like. Ensure you have the minimum airtime required in order to enjoy the data services:

Bundle Cost Subscription mode
Night Data Bundle 1 KES (0.01$) / MB *154*1#
15 days Unlimited 799 KES / 9.67$ *154*2#
30 days Unlimited 999 KES / 12.09$ *154*3#
1GB Bundle 399 KES / 4.83$ *154*4#
2GB Bundle 599 KES / 7.25$ *154*5#
YU DATA 100 250 KES / 3.03$ *154*6#
YU DATA 250 500 KES / 6.05$ *156*7
YU DATA 750 1000 KES / 12.10$ *156*8#
YU DATA 3000 2000 KES / 21.20$ *156*9#
INTERNET ON MOBILE BUNDLES
15 days Unlimited (IOM) 99 KES / 1.20$ *156*1#
30 days Unlimited (IOM) 199 KES / 2.41$ 156*2#
3 days Unlimited (IOM) 29 KES / 0.35$ *156*3#
NON-MOBILE BUNDLES
Dedicated 1bob 1 KES (0.01$) Rental & 1 KES (0.01$) / MB *157*1#
Unlimited Daily 39 KES / 0.47$ *157*2#
Weekend Pack 49 KES / 0.59$ *157*3#
20 MB @ 6 6 KES / 0.07$ *157*4#
25 MB @ 9 9 KES / 0.11$ *157*5#

If you are looking for Mobile internet for you laptop or PC, then Yu offers service called yuNet!.

Bundle Cost Subscription mode
MODEM BUNDLES
30 days unlimited 499 KES / 6.04$ Call *121*2*7*1#
NON-MODEM BUNDLES
Data @ 50Cts 0.5 KES (0.006$) / Min Call *121*2*1#
Unlimited Daily 39 KES / 0.47$ Call *121*2*4#
Weekend Pack 49 KES / 0.59$ Call *121*2*5#
10 MB @ 4 4 KES / 0.05$ Call *121*2*2#
25 MB @ 9 9 KES / 0.11$ Call *121*2*3#

An auto renewal for all packs takes place and is subject to the customer having enough credit balance on the main account. The data out of bundle rate is 5 KES (0.06$) / MB.

How to top up

You can top up your Yu account with airtime in two ways:

1. Using scratch card: buy a Yu scratch card from any shop and follwo the instructions at the back of the card:

  • Gently scratch the foil off the back of the scratch card to reveal the 14-digit number.
  • Dial *130*< the 14-digit number >#.
  • Press the Call/OK button.
  • Your phone will display your new credit balance after your scratch card has been successfully credited to your account.

Available denominations are 10 KES / 0.12$, 20 KES / 0.24$, 50 KES / 0.60$, 100 KES / 1.21$, 250 KES/ 3.02$, 500 KES / 6.05$ and 1,000 KES / 12.10$.

2. Using Eneza Electronic Top Up:

  • Visit a retail outlet offering the service.
  • Tell the retailer the amount of money you need to top up your account with.
  • Give him your mobile number and your account will be topped up.
  • Once loaded you will receive a confirmation SMS.

You can top up your account with any amount from 10 KES / 0.12$ to 99,999 KES / 1,211$.

You can check your balance by dialing *131#.


eSIM availability

Kenya has its own provider - Safaricom, that supports eSIM.

You can easily buy it online on: https://www.safaricom.co.ke/ or in the local store and trade your physical sim into eSIM or just install both.

You can choose "International plans" as well, for example:

  • Holafly offers unlimited data for 5,7,10,15,20,30 days for - 27€, 34€, 37€, 47€, 57€, 79€

Please visit: https://esim.holafly.com/ for more detailed information or " International eSIM providers" tab

Wi Fi Networks

References