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Kenya sim cards – everything you need to know

by | Jan 25, 2023 | Blog

Are you planning a trip to Kenya? If so, then you’ll need to make sure you have a Kenyan SIM card in order to stay connected while you’re there. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting a Kenyan SIM card, including where to buy one, how much it will cost, and what features it will come with. So read on to find out everything you need to know about Kenya SIM cards!

If you’re planning a trip to Kenya, you’ll need to make sure you have a Kenyan SIM card for your mobile phone. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Kenya SIM cards, including how to buy one, where to use it, and what to do if you lose it.

When you arrive in Kenya, you’ll need to purchase a Kenyan SIM card in order to use your mobile phone. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, or at any mobile phone shop or kiosk. SIM cards in Kenya typically cost around $5, and they come with a certain amount of credit ( typically around $10 worth).

Once you have your Kenyan SIM card, you can use it to make calls, send texts, and use data services. Data services in Kenya are quite expensive, so we recommend only using them when absolutely necessary.

If you lose your Kenyan SIM card, you can get a replacement at any mobile phone shop or kiosk. You’ll need to present your passport as identification, and you’ll likely have to pay a small fee for the replacement SIM card.

Which SIM card is best in Kenya?

If you’re traveling in Kenya, we recommend using a SIM card from Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, or Airalo. All of these providers have good coverage throughout the country. Safaricom and Airtel are the largest providers, with the best coverage in rural areas. Telkom has the best prices, while Airalo offers the best international roaming rates.

An alien can only be registered to use a SIM card in Kenya upon production of:

An original passport document

A valid Alien’s registration certificate, in line with the Aliens Restriction Act, in the case of foreigners including refugees who cannot produce original passport documents.

How long does a Safaricom SIM card last if not used

If your account is inactive for 120 days after your last recharge, it will expire.

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To activate Roaming via USSD:

1. Dial *200# and select “Products and Services”
2. Select “Safaricom Roaming”
3. Select “Activate roaming service” and either:
4. Data, Voice and SMS
5. Voice and SMS Only
6. Accept the terms and conditions, “Ts&Cs” as published on wwwsafaricomcoke
7. Enter your M-PESA PIN for authentication

Can you buy SIM cards at Nairobi airport?

If you’re looking for the easiest way to get connected upon arrival in Kenya, buying a local sim card at the airport is your best bet. Prices for sim cards at Nairobi Airport are very reasonable, especially when compared to what you’d find in the city. So if you need a prepaid sim card, this is a great place to get one.

One gigabyte of mobile internet in Kenya cost on average 084 US dollars in 2021. Out of 46 plans measured in Kenya, the lowest price observed was 024 US dollars per 1GB, for a 30 days plan. In the most expensive plan, 1GB cost 423 US dollars.Kenya SIM Cards - Everything You Need To Know_1

Can I buy SIM card without ID?

There is no need for ID or prepaid registration to shop in the USA or Canada, making it a convenient place to shop for everyone. The store agent may just ask for your name, but no other identification is required. This makes it easy and convenient for everyone to shop in these countries.

You can purchase a South African SIM card from any cellphone provider in the country. You will need to show your passport or national ID card as identification, and you will need to show proof of residence in the form of a formal confirmation from your hotel, on a letterhead. Once you have your SIM card, you can activate it by following the instructions on the card.

What documents are required for buying a SIM

In order to get a new SIM, you will need to provide some form of proof of identity and proof of address. Common documents that can be used for this purpose include your Aadhar card, voter ID, and passport. If you are looking to get a Jio SIM, then you may only need your biometric fingerprint and Aadhar details.

If a local SIM card is not used for a long time, it will be blocked (suspended). For example, a local SIM card will be suspended if there is no top-up or call/SMS/data activity recorded for several months or a year.

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What will happen if I don’t register my Safaricom SIM card?

Ezra Chiloba is the County Registrar of Election in Kenya. He has warned people that their phone lines will be disconnected if they don’t register to vote. This is a serious issue because it could disenfranchise people who don’t have access to the internet or who can’t afford to pay for registration.

If you do not do any recharge in 90 days, your number might get disconnected. This is to ensure that the network stays active and to avoid any disruptions in service.

How do I register my Safaricom line outside Kenya

In order to upload your KYC images, you will need to open the link provided in your preferred browser. Once the link is open, enter your phone number in the space provided. You will then receive an OTP via SMS, which you will need to enter in order to upload the front and back images of your ID. Once the images are uploaded, complete and submit the form.

If you’re looking to use your phone abroad, you’ll need to make sure you have an unlocked GSM mobile phone. This means that your phone will work with any SIM card from any GSM carrier. To do this, you’ll need to carefully punch out the SIM card from its plastic holder and insert the card into your unlocked GSM mobile phone as instructed in the phone’s user manual. Once you’ve turned on your phone, your phone will now have an international SIM card that works in the USA, Europe, Caribbean and many other countries.

Why is Safaricom closing SIM cards?

In order to comply with the newly published Government regulations on mandatory SIM card registration, Safaricom Limited has switched off 800,000 unregistered SIM cards in a phased exercise. This will allow the company to gather the necessary information from customers in order to register their SIM cards and keep them active. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work to comply with these new regulations.

The above mentioned items are not allowed to be imported into Kenya. This is to protect the citizens of Kenya from items that could be harmful to them.

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Can I buy a SIM without a contract

Pay-as-you-go SIMS are a great way to stay connected without being tied into a contract. You can simply top-up your data, text or minutes by top-up card, credit or debit card whenever you want and choose the amount that matches your budget. Plus, there’s no commitment so you can cancel at any time.

Safaricom is the clear market leader in Kenya with nearly 30 million customers, followed by Airtel Kenya with just under 10 million. Telkom Kenya is a distant third with just over 3 million customers, followed by Finserve with just over 1 million.

Wrap Up

If you’re planning a trip to Kenya, you’ll need to make sure you have a SIM card that will work in the country. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Kenya SIM cards, including what kind of SIM card you’ll need, where to buy one, and how to use it.

What Kind of SIM Card Do You Need for Kenya?

The type of SIM card you’ll need for Kenya depends on what kind of phone you have. If you have an unlocked GSM phone, you’ll be able to use a Kenyan SIM card. However, if you have aCDMA phone, you’ll need to get a local Kenyan phone that uses the CDMA network.

If you’re not sure what kind of phone you have, you can check by looking at the back of your current SIM card. If it has a small triangle with an arrow pointing up, that means it’s a GSM SIM card and it will work in Kenya.

Where to Buy a Kenya SIM Card?

There are a few different places where you can buy a Kenya SIM card. You can buy one at the airport when you arrive in Kenya, or you can buy one from a local mobile phone operator.

The bottom line is that you need to have a SIM card in order to use a phone in Kenya. The good news is that these cards are relatively cheap and easy to find. Make sure to do your research before you buy one, as there are a few different types of SIM cards available. Once you have your SIM card, you will be able to use your phone to make calls, send texts, and access the internet.