Starlink has halted new customer sign-ups across seven counties in Kenya after demand for its satellite broadband service exceeded the network capacity currently available in those areas, forcing prospective subscribers onto a waiting list while the company works to expand coverage.
The suspension affects Nairobi, Kiambu, Mombasa, Machakos, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Kwale, where new users can no longer immediately activate the service. Instead, customers are being asked to reserve a place on a waiting list, with no confirmed timeline for when additional network capacity will become available.
The development highlights the rapid growth of Starlink’s presence in Kenya since its launch in 2023 and underscores the infrastructure challenges that can accompany fast subscriber expansion. Brandspur Brand News reports that the satellite internet provider has experienced one of the fastest growth rates among licensed internet service providers in the East African country over the past year.
According to data from Kenya’s Communications Authority, Starlink’s subscriber base reached 24,999 by the end of March 2026, more than tripling within nine months. Although the figure still represents a small share of Kenya’s fixed broadband market, the pace of growth has significantly increased pressure on the company’s available network resources.
Starlink’s expansion has been driven largely by aggressive price reductions. The company has cut the cost of its hardware, introduced equipment rental options and launched lower-priced broadband packages, making satellite internet more accessible to households, small businesses and users in underserved rural communities where fibre connectivity remains limited.
The affordability of the service has also attracted customers in urban centres seeking alternatives to traditional broadband providers, contributing to the surge in demand now exceeding available capacity in several densely populated counties.
The temporary pause on new subscriptions suggests Starlink will need to invest further in network expansion to accommodate rising demand as competition in Kenya’s broadband market continues to intensify. Existing subscribers remain connected, while prospective customers in the affected counties must wait until additional capacity is deployed before they can activate new accounts.
