Starlink to disconnect Kenyan users who fail to provide verification details by May

SpaceX-owned satellite internet provider Starlink has informed its Kenyan subscribers that their service risks being disconnected if they fail to provide their means of identification by May. 

According to a notice sent to users, the internet service provider stated that the requirement follows directives from the Kenyan government. 

Days ago, authorities issued a demand to Starlink to provide national identity (ID) cards, postal addresses and phone numbers of its subscribers to curb cybercrime amid surveillance and privacy concerns. 

Starlink noted that customers are expected to visit its authorised retailer within Kenya and present a valid government-issued identification document. In addition, customers are expected to provide their Starlink account details during the verification process.

The company also informed customers that they only need a phone with an installed Starlink app to facilitate their account confirmation. Customers are expected to complete verification before April 30, 2026, or risk having their service interrupted. 

As of September 2025, Starlink has recorded 19,460 active users in Kenya, marking the satellite provider’s highest subscriber count since entering the Kenyan market in 2023.

Also Read: Starlink launches internet service in Senegal, its 26th African market.

Why is the Starlink verification mandatory? 

The development comes amid Kenya’s move to monitor and integrate the growing satellite internet services into its regulatory system. It also aligns more closely with Kenya’s broader telecommunications registration framework. 

Mobile network operators and internet service providers in the East African country already operate under strict Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements enforced by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). SIM card registration and identity verification have been made compulsory for security and fraud prevention. 

By linking Starlink’s user accounts to verified physical identities within the country, Kenyan regulators can ensure that satellite connectivity adheres to the same accountability and transparency standards as other internet services.

Starlink’s arrival in the Kenyan market has been viewed as a major addition to connectivity and as a means of bridging the digital divide. The company’s rise in Kenya has positioned it as an alternative to Safaricom, Airtel and other network providers. 

The satellite company also enjoyed an independence which stands as its strongest selling point, particularly in underserved regions where connectivity options are limited. However, it has been seen as operating outside traditional telecom oversight, thereby raising concerns over security sabotage during national emergencies. 

With the mandatory verification system, all users are now being firmly incorporated into the domestic compliance structure. It also makes Starlink’s operation sit more squarely within the country’s formal regulatory environment.

In a country where telecoms infrastructure is tightly regulated, verified identity records are required for the safety of its digital infrastructure. Such measures are also aimed at addressing issues like privacy, digital rights, and the balance between security and open access. 

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