Network Congestion Hits Starlink Speeds in Kenya as Subscriber Base Expands

Data from network intelligence firm Ookla reveals that average internet download speeds for Starlink in Kenya have dropped by 26 percent compared to last year. This performance decline is linked directly to a rapid increase in local subscribers, but it has triggered widespread network congestion.

The satellite provider now supports nearly 25,000 active users across the country. According to recent measurements, the median download speed plummeted to 34.55 megabits per second (Mbps) in March 2026. This is a sharp contrast to the 200 Mbps recorded at launch, when performance was unhindered.

This network infrastructure strain comes at a time, when local traditional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are aggressively closing the performance gap. Smaller local telecommunications firms are experiencing growth, but users are looking for faster alternatives if satellite connections continue to slow down.

The details of this infrastructure capacity crisis match recent data, which highlights how the user base expansion affects service quality. Managing localized data traffic has become a technical hurdle, although the firm continues to expand.

Each satellite beam from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecraft serves a finite area, but it creates bottlenecks, when user density spikes. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) documented that these limitations previously forced a temporary freeze on new registrations in late 2024.

That subscription freeze affected Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, and Murang'a counties. The suspension lasted for seven months, although it allowed terrestrial infrastructure competitors to capture substantial market share, who were expanding their own fibre networks.

Though the provider resumed services after deploying additional bandwidth, the latest speed data demonstrates that subscriber growth continues to test system limits. Total satellite capacity in the country grew from 34 million gigabits per second to 45 million gigabits per second, which represents a substantial increase.

Despite the upgrades, performance continues to slide during peak hours. Traditional broadband systems offer more predictable scalability in high-density urban areas, but satellite arrays remain highly effective for remote regions where laying fibre optic cables is physically or financially impractical.

The current market dynamics indicate that the initial phase of uncontested satellite broadband growth has ended. The regulatory environment has also tightened, because the state now requires strict adherence to national Know Your Customer (KYC) identity verification rules, although some users find it tedious.

Local operators like Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications maintain the largest shares of the fixed data market, but satellite broadband remains popular. The CA reported that fixed data subscriptions grew by 7.9 percent overall, which shows that demand remains strong.

This expanding digital ecosystem is attracting more global infrastructure developers to the region. Amazon is currently seeking regulatory approvals to launch its own satellite broadband service under Project Kuiper, when it will establish its first African ground station in Kenya.

This upcoming entry by a major global competitor means the market will face further pressure, which forces existing networks to constantly upgrade their systems. The struggle to balance user growth with network stability remains a critical issue, if local digital infrastructure is to support future demand.

The challenges highlight that building satellite networks requires robust ground networks, which route data efficiently through local data centres. Until international gateways are fully optimized, Kenyan users may continue to experience fluctuating connectivity speeds, although the service remains a vital option.