Kenya Service
The Kenya SIM card, combined with an international mobile phone, is the most simple and economical solution for staying in touch while in Kenya. ALL incoming calls, regardless of their origin, are FREE! Pay the local rate for local calls and use a mobile phone in Kenya like you do at home. Since this SIM card is prepaid, there are no monthly fees and no need for a contract.
Benefits:
- 250 KSH ($3.25 USD) starter credit.
- A local mobile phone number in Kenya
- FREE incoming calls
- Voicemail
- Text messaging
- No yearly contract, monthly charges or credit check.
Rates
Domestic calls
Domestic rates are per minute for outgoing calls.
All incoming calls are free, regardless of where they originate.
All calls are billed per minute. There is a connection charge of KSH 14.50 ($0.19 USD) per DAY regardless of usage.
| Calling to | Peak per minute rate |
Off-peak per minute rate |
| Other Safaricom mobile phones | KSH 16 ($0.21 USD) |
KSH 16 ($0.21 USD) |
| All other mobile phones | KSH 35.34 ($0.36 USD) |
KSH 25.61 ($0.33 USD) |
| Landlines | KSH 21.51 ($0.28 USD) |
KSH 25.61 ($0.33 USD) |
| Voicemail | FREE |
FREE |
| Voicemail | FREE |
FREE |
Incoming text messages are free. Outgoing messages are KSH 5 ($0.06 USD) each.
Peak hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm
Off-peak hours: Monday to Friday 8pm - 8am, Saturday & Sunday
^KSH 16 ($0.20 USD) deposit required.
*You will need to activate e-mail. Address will be provided by Safaricom upon activation.
International calls
International rates are per minute for outgoing calls while in Kenya.
All incoming calls are FREE!
| Calling to | Peak per minute rate |
Off-peak per minute rate |
| Eastern Africa | KSH 48 ($0.62 USD) |
KSH 48 ($.62 USD) |
| Zone A: Comesa | KSH 100 ($1.29 USD) |
KSH 78 ($1.00 USD)) |
| Zone B: Europe, North America, Medierranean, Non Comesa, UAW, India and Australia | KSH 110 ($1.42 USD) |
KSH 78 ($1.00 USD) |
| Zone C: Rest of the world | KSH 110 ($1.42 USD) |
KSH 78 ($1.00 USD) |
Incoming text messages are free. Outgoing international text messages are KSH 10 ($0.12 USD) each.
Peak hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm
Off Peak hours: Monday to Friday 8pm - 8am, Saturday & Sunday
Coverage
Activating your service
Your Kenya mobile phone number is located on a white sticker on the reverse side of your SIM card packaging above the bar code and on the SIM card itself. The mobile phone number will begin with 07.
To activate your service:
- Travel to Kenya.
- Be sure that the battery is adequately charged.
- Insert the SIM card into your GSM phone*.
- Turn your phone on.
- Enter PIN1 code^
- Start calling.
* You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the SIM card into your international mobile phone with the gold contacts of the SIM card facing the metal contacts of your mobile phone.
^Your phone will prompt you for a 4 digit PIN code, which is located on the Kenya SIM card under PIN1. You will be prompted for PIN1 every time you turn on the phone. The PUK is only required to unblock your phone if you enter a PIN code incorrectly 3 times. Follow your mobile phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone.
Making and receiving calls
How to make a call
To make an international call from your Kenya mobile phone dial 00 (or +), followed by the country code (1 for the US), area code and phone number.
How family and friends call you
Family and friends need to dial the international prefix, the country code 254 and your mobile phone number, omitting the leading 0 (zero)
For example, when calling from the United States, callers need to dial 011 254 and then your mobile phone number.
Recharging your account
To add credit to your Kenya SIM card, you will need to purchase recharge vouchers, also called Reload codes. You will find these vouchers at most tabac shops, convenience stores, gas stations and Safaricom shops in Kenya.They may be purchased in 6 denominations with the following validity periods:
Voucher Amount |
Validity Period |
KSH 50 |
30 days |
KSH 500 |
60 days |
KSH 1000 |
120 days |
KSH 2500 |
240 days |
KSH 5000 |
360 days |
KSH 10000 |
485 days |
To recharge your account:
- Purchase a recharge voucher.
- Scratch off the grey protective layer to reveal your digit voucher code.
- Follow the instructions to enter your voucher code.
- Start calling.
Do not purchase another Kenya SIM card when your credit is depleted! You only need a recharge voucher!
Contacting Customer Service
Customer service for your Kenya SIM card is available 24/7 by dialing 100 from your Kenya mobile phone.
Service life
Your Kenya SIM card has an initial account balance that will be valid for 15 days once you activate it.
If you do not recharge after the first the 15 days, you are given an additional 7 days to recharge your account. During this period you can make emergency calls and contact the customer service at 107 as well as receive calls from other parties.
If you don't recharge your Kenya SIM card during the 7 days, you have another 21 days to recharge your account only without receiving or sending calls. After this period expiries, your mobile phone number will be recycled and any remaining airtime credit will be forfeit. To get connected again you will be required to purchase another SIM card.
Handset compatibility
This SIM card requires an unlocked international GSM mobile phone. If you do not have your own suitable handset, we have several models available for your review and consideration. Please click here for more information.
If you have difficulty using the service in your handset, please contact Customer service