Phones, internet, and mail in Kenya
New expats in Kenya will want to ensure they can stay connected with friends and family back home, as well as with new Kenyan friends and colleagues, and will want to get set up with local phone, internet, and mobile services. Kenya has a modern and high-speed communications infrastructure, and expats will find it easy to get everything they need to stay connected. There are many providers and telecommunications companies, so shop around and do your research before making a decision.
Internet
Internet in Kenya is fast, reliable, and easy to set up, although occasional outages can be a problem, especially outside of the larger cities. One of the most popular providers in the country is Faiba, as they have the most extensive coverage and are recommended by expats for their customer service. Other popular telecommunications providers include ZUKU, Safaricom, and Telkom Kenya (formerly known as Orange).
Each company can visit your property to install home internet, and you can choose from unlimited data packages or a set amount per month. Most home installations will require a minimum contract time of 12 or 18 months. If you are in the country for a shorter time, you may wish to purchase pay-as-you-go internet, such as an internet dongle that can be recharged.
Wifi can be found in many cafes, shops, and public areas, but is harder to come by outside of larger cities. Public wifi may also be unreliable and slower than the high-speed fibre installed in homes and businesses.
Phones
Many expats, especially if you are only in the country briefly, may prefer to rely on their mobile phone, rather than install a landline. However, if you do prefer a landline, this can be set up in your home by one of the major providers, such as Safaricom. If you are also interested in home internet, discounts can often be found by bundling phone lines and internet from the same provider.
As in most countries, mobile phones in Kenya are extremely common. Whether you chose a lock-in contract or a pay-as-you-go plan depends on your preference, and how long you will remain in the country, but there are many options. If you already have your own phone, consider purchasing a local sim card, so that you have a local number for calls and texts. Major mobile providers in Kenya include Safaricom, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecommunications, and Airtel.
Good to know: The country code to dial Kenya is 254.
Postal services
Kenya Post is the country's national postal service, and they are completely government-owned. They are also known as the Postal Corporation of Kenya, and they offer domestic and international postal services, courier services, and also offer money ordering and transfers.
Although the mail is generally reliable, delays or lost parcels are not uncommon- adding insurance to parcels of value is always recommended. Some expats prefer to set up a private post box to receive letters and parcels, which can be set up, for a small fee, at your local post office.
Many private shipping and courier services also operate in the country, including DHL, TNT Express, and Courier Plus Kenya.
Useful links:
