Starlink subscribers in Kenya will now be required to undergo mandatory in-person identity verification, with the company setting April 30, 2026 as the deadline for compliance.
In a notice circulated to customers, the satellite internet provider warned that those who fail to complete the process by that date risk having their service interrupted.
The company said the new requirement follows directives from Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
According to the communication, subscribers must visit an authorised Starlink retailer within Kenya and present a valid ID.
They are also required to provide their Starlink account details during the verification.
However, the firm clarified that customers do not need to carry their Starlink hardware to the verification centre. Instead, they should have a phone with the Starlink app installed to facilitate account confirmation.
The notice to subscribers was explicit. Customers are urged to complete verification before April 30, 2026, accompanied by a warning that failure to do so “may result in service interruption.”
The tone of the message underlined what appears to be a firm compliance stance.
The move however, brings Starlink more closely into line with country’s existing telecommunications registration framework.
Note that mobile network operators and internet service providers already operate under strict Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements enforced by the regulator
For years, SIM card registration and identity verification have been mandatory across the traditional telecom sector.
In that context, Starlink’s decision represents a logical extension of regulatory standards that have long governed the industry.
Starlink’s rapid expansion in Kenya has positioned it as a strong alternative to conventional broadband providers. Because its satellite-based infrastructure allows users to connect directly, without relying on terrestrial fibre networks run by licensed local operators, it has been particularly attractive in remote and underserved regions.
That operational independence has been one of its strongest selling points.
Nevertheless, the new verification directive illustrates how satellite internet services are increasingly being folded into national regulatory systems.
What initially appeared to function on the margins of traditional telecom oversight is now being drawn more firmly into domestic compliance structures.
By linking user accounts to verified physical identities within Kenya, authorities can ensure that satellite connectivity is subject to the same accountability standards as other internet services operating in the country.
Beyond the immediate compliance requirement, the development feeds into broader conversations around digital governance.
Tying internet access to verified identities strengthens regulatory control and could simplify enforcement under Kenyan law where necessary.
In tightly regulated telecommunications environments, verified identity records are often seen as critical for security and fraud prevention.
At the same time, such measures can raise questions about privacy, digital rights and the balance between security and open access.
Although Kenya has not experienced a nationwide internet shutdown in recent years, debates over state influence on digital infrastructure have surfaced during periods of political tension.
Traditionally, any restrictions have relied on directives issued to local telecom operators controlling fibre backbones and mobile networks.
When Starlink entered the Kenyan market, some observers viewed it as adding an extra layer of connectivity resilience, given that it operates outside terrestrial systems. Now, with mandatory identity verification in place, its operations sit more squarely within Kenya’s formal regulatory framework.
For customers, the immediate task is clear. Those who wish to avoid disruption must complete the in-person verification before the April 30, 2026 deadline.
Whether the move simply formalises existing compliance expectations or signals a deeper shift in oversight, one thing remains certain: Kenyan subscribers will need to act promptly to maintain uninterrupted access to Starlink’s satellite internet service.