Elon Musk's Starlink has given its Kenyan subscribers till April 30, 2026, to complete in-person government ID checks or risk service disconnection. The company is collecting these data as a move to stay in compliance with Kenyan government's directive which is aimed at tightening telecommunications oversight.
The government introduced the directive to curb phone-based crimes and cyber-terrorism. As a result, many people assume that telecom providers such as Safaricom and Airtel are the primary targets. However, satellite service providers like Starlink should are also not exempt from regulatory oversight.
Similar directives also hit Starlink in Nigeria when the country's authority mandated all telecom operators must collect and record subscribers identity and verify their biometrics. Starlink issued a warning to all subscribers in December, 2025, that customers must complete their Know Your Customer (KYC) verification to continue receiving service.
The company cited that failure to comply will result in the termination of service for subscriber. "If you do not submit your information by December 31st, 2025, your service will be suspended. Reactivation is dependent on capacity. If your location is currently at capacity, you may be unable to reactivate if suspended," the company stated.
But in Kenya, the company cited that if subscriber failed to meet the new directive set by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) after the deadline, there will be immediate throttling or permanent removal of service. CA forced satellite providers into the domestic regulatory framework to prevent services from operating “outside traditional telecom oversight” during national emergencies.
How to complete KYC in Kenya
Both online and physical verification are needed to stay compliance with the directive. First, you must update Starlink account portals with accurate personal information, including a valid photo ID. You'll need a smartphone, internet connection, and Starlink app to link the physical ID to your account.
Once you're done with that, you'll be required to proceed to an authorized Starlink retailer within Kenya for in-person verification. You'll also need to visit the authorized retailers with your valid government ID, postal address, and valid phone number. However, it's important to let the name on the account must exactly match the details on the national ID, as Starlink has noted that any discrepancies will result in registration delays or immediate service interruption.
Henceforth, if you purchase a new Starlink kit and want to activate it, you will be required to submit your ID documents at the authorised dealer and complete verification through the Starlink official portal. This multi-step verification process marks a shift from the previous registration system, which could be completed entirely online.
As of September 2025, Starlink had approximately 19,460 active subscribers in Kenya, making it the East African country with the highest subscriber base since the service launched there in 2023. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the ISP had surpassed 66,000 active subscribers by December 2025, around the time the company issued a warning regarding directives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
