American satellite internet provider Starlink has launched a rental option, allowing Kenyans to acquire internet hardwares in installments.
The company, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, said that customers can now access its internet service by paying a one-time activation fee of Sh2,700 and a monthly hardware rental fee of Sh1,950.
This new model aims to make Starlink’s services more accessible to Kenyans who previously faced high upfront costs to acquire the hardware, ranging from Sh29,000 to Sh74,000.
“Starlink now offers Starlink kit rentals throughout Kenya. Rent Starlink for Ksh1,950/month or purchase for Ksh45,500,” Starlink announced in a statement.
Since its debut in Kenya in July last year, Starlink has been actively expanding its market presence with affordable internet packages, rubbing shoulders with local players such as Safaricom and Airtel.
![The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu, with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o representing the county government and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Anaclaudia Rossbach, signing on behalf of the UN agency. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly implementing the housing upgrade project, which Governor Nyong’o said will primarily target vulnerable groups. “The PINUA programme [is] designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of the community,” Nyong’o said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable neighborhoods equipped with essential services. Beginning November 1, 2025, the county government, working with UN-Habitat, will launch pilot projects in Kibuye Estate and Muhoroni Sub-County, based on designs and models developed through extensive public participation. The programme will focus on upgrading informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools, sanitation facilities, affordable rental housing, early childhood development centres, and public open spaces. It also supports incremental housing models, allowing families to progressively build and eventually own decent homes. Rossbach emphasized UN-Habitat’s global commitment to driving transformative change in urban areas: “This partnership is crucial in advancing our new strategy, which focuses on improving housing access and digitally transforming informal settlements for everyone.” According to UN-Habitat housing architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase will begin in January 2026 with the construction of two blocks of 24 housing units in Kibuye Estate.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/About-us-still-25957706200_7ca2db7e5e_k-100x70.jpg "Kisumu, UN-Habitat sign Ksh2.7bn deal for social housing upgrade")
