Can You Rent Starlink in Kenya in 2025?

About a year ago, Starlink was letting users in Kenya rent Starlink instead of buying the whole kit; however, this option appears to not be currently available in Kenya. A check on the official Starlink website for a Nairobi address confirms that users are only presented with the option to buy the hardware at the time of publishing this.

However, the high upfront cost of the kit has created a thriving market for financing plans through authorized local resellers. These plans function as a form of long-term rental or, more accurately, a lease-to-own model, which remains the only way to get Starlink in Kenya without paying the full KES 59,410 upfront.

What Happened to the Official Rental Option?

In the past, Starlink did offer a rental program in certain countries. Customers could pay a one-time activation fee and a recurring monthly hardware rental fee, providing a flexible way to access the service without owning the equipment.

However, as of mid-2025, this option does not appear on the Starlink website for Kenyan service addresses. This suggests that for now, the company is prioritizing the direct purchase model in this region.

The Official Starlink Model in Kenya: You Buy, You Own

This is the only method available directly from Starlink.com. The model requires you to purchase the hardware kit outright.

• Upfront Hardware Cost: The Standard Kit costs KES 49,900, while the more portable Mini Kit costs KES 27,000. However, the total upfront cost is not just the hardware.
• Activation and Fees: The Standard Kit has an activation fee of KES 6,500. The Mini Kit, despite its lower hardware price, comes with a much higher activation fee of KES 32,500, making its total initial cost (KES 62,510 including shipping) more expensive than the Standard Kit (KES 59,410).
  
  

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• Monthly Subscription Fee: On top of the hardware and activation cost, the standard residential plan for unlimited data is KES 6,500 per month for both kits.

While simple, the initial hardware investment remains a significant barrier for a large portion of the Kenyan market, which is why the reseller financing model is so crucial.