New Twist in Safaricom vs Starlink Rivalry as CEO Hints at Partnership

The rivalry between Kenyan Telecommunications giant Safaricom and American satellite internet service provider Starlink over the dominance in the Kenyan internet market has taken a new twist.

Safaricom Plc Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa on September 26 said that the company is in talks with Tesla owner and billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink and other satellite providers on potential future partnerships.

“From a satellite perspective, we have to partner with Starlink or other satellite providers in future to make sure that that technology plays right through,” Ndegwa said in an interview in New York.

“We have had some discussions, and we will continue to have those discussions to the extent that they complement what we are offering.”

Ndegwa during the interview also responded to a letter which the company sent to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) back in July.

Ndegwa on Safaricom vs Starlink rivalry

Safaricom in the letter seen by The Kenya Times requested that foreign satellite providers be required to take local telecommunications operators as partners when doing business in Kenya to boost investment and employment and comply with local laws.

The wireless operator also told officials that allowing services such as Starlink to operate on independent licenses could lead to security risks and lapses in regulatory oversight, due to the cross-border nature of satellite services, according to the group’s court filing.

However, Ndegwa highlighted that the company wasn’t trying to hinder Starlink, but rather asking regulators for a level playing field. 

Also Read: Elon Musk, Safaricom Rivalry Intensifies as Starlink Introduces Cheaper Kit After Ruto Declaration

The CEO further said that Safaricom is successful because it invests between $300 million and $350 million to expand telecommunications infrastructure in Kenya each year. 

“There’s a misconception about Safaricom getting in the way. We don’t have the ability to prevent anyone from operating in Kenya. That is a regulatory decision,” Ndegwa added. “We are not worried about competition; we’ll deal with it.” 

Ruto breaks silence

The new development comes barely three days after President William Ruto broke silence on his stance over Starlink’s stiff competition against Safaricom in the Kenyan internet market. 

President Ruto while speaking in New York during the Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable remarked that CEO Peter Ndegwa was not happy about the entry of Starlink into the market. 

The Head of State however said that he allowed Elon Musk’s product to encourage competition between the different players. 

Also Read: Details of Letter Safaricom Wrote to CA After Entry of Starlink in Kenya

He also directly addressed Peter Ndegwa, who was present in the meeting, encouraging him that he would still thrive and would now have to become more competitive.

“I have my CEO for Safaricom here, sometimes he is not happy with me for bringing in some other characters like Elon Musk and the like.

“But you see I keep encouraging Peter that competition helps you keep ahead. And he has really been trying because he has upped his game, so we want to keep that space competitive,” said Ruto.

Billionaire Elon Musk then responded to Ruto’s remarks, reiterating the president’s position that the satellite internet service provider has created competition, causing the existing players to provide better services. 

Following Ruto’s remarks, Starlink introduced the cheaper and portable version of its installation package into the local Kenyan market, slightly over a year after entry into the country.

Starlink Mini available in Kenya

In an update on Thursday, September 26, Starlink said the package dubbed ‘Starlink Mini’ which was launched on June 21 this year is now available for purchase by Kenyan subscribers, adding that users will now have mobile access to the service.

“Starlink Mini is now Available in Kenya! Stay connected with high-speed internet at home or on the go,” wrote the firm in the post.

The Starlink Mini Kit, priced at Ksh27,000, includes everything needed for a quick and easy setup, with monthly service plans starting at Ksh4,000 making it a competitive option in Kenya’s internet market.

Starlink Mini packages

• Ksh4,000 per month: A plan with deprioritized speeds during peak hours, suitable for general browsing and light usage.
• Ksh6,500 per month: A premium plan providing priority speeds during peak hours for users requiring consistent, high-speed access.
• Ksh1,300 per month: A 50GB data plan, ideal for users with moderate internet usage needs.

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