Safaricom has cemented its dominance over Kenya’s digital landscape, capturing a commanding 35.6% of the fixed internet market in the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year.

Data released Tuesday by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) confirms that the battle for the Kenyan living room is intensifying, yet the incumbent shows no signs of yielding ground.

This surge comes amid a fierce battle for connectivity, as local providers aggressively counter the disruption caused by satellite entrant Starlink to keep Kenyans online. For the consumer, this statistical shift signals a maturing market where reliability and fiber footprint are currently holding the line against the allure of new satellite technology.

The Numbers Game

During the period under review—covering July to September 2025—Safaricom successfully expanded its territory. The telco grew its market share from 34.3% recorded in June 2025 to the current 35.6%.

This growth is not merely percentage points on a spreadsheet; it represents real households. The operator onboarded an impressive 79,288 new fixed internet customers in just three months. This suggests that despite the noise surrounding alternative connectivity options, the demand for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) remains robust in urban and peri-urban centers.

The Local Counter-Attack

While the spotlight often falls on the giants, the CA report highlights a resilient undercurrent of local challengers. It is not a one-horse race. Several indigenous providers have successfully increased their subscriber bases, fortifying their positions in specific niches.

According to the authority, the following providers also recorded growth, presenting stiff competition to global disruptors:

• Jamii Telecoms (Faiba): Continuing its stronghold in the business and high-speed home segment.
• Mawingu: Expanding its footprint in underserved areas, proving that affordable connectivity is a viable business model.
• Ahadi Wireless & Vilcom Network: Both noted for increasing their subscriber numbers during the quarter.

This collective growth indicates a "rally round the flag" effect, where established terrestrial providers are innovating to retain customers who might otherwise look to the skies for internet access.

Satellite vs. Fiber

The report offers a crucial reality check regarding Starlink. When the Elon Musk-owned satellite service entered the Kenyan market, it was viewed as an immediate existential threat to local ISPs. However, the data suggests a more complex ecosystem is emerging.

While Starlink disrupted the industry by forcing competitors to rethink pricing and speeds, the local heavyweights—led by Safaricom and Jamii—have absorbed the initial shockwave. By improving service delivery and expanding coverage, Kenyan ISPs are proving that terrestrial infrastructure remains the backbone of the nation's digital economy.

As the financial year progresses, the true test will be whether these providers can sustain this growth momentum against the fluctuating costs of hardware and the pressure to lower prices for the wananchi.