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Coast and Mt Kenya top in illegal internet hotspots

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Licensed internet providers have raised concerns about the surge in illegal providers.

Photo credit: File

Counties in the Coast and Mount Kenya have emerged as hotspots for illegal internet service providers, new findings by sector regulator reveals—raising concerns over digital security and service quality for users in these areas.

Surveillance by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) across 15 counties, uncovered 132 illegal operators with more than half of these located in seven counties within the Coast and Mt Kenya regions.

Mombasa and Kwale counties were found to host the highest number, with a combined 38 illegal providers. Kilifi followed with 12, while Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri had a combined total of 23. Other affected counties included Nakuru and Narok (17), Nairobi (13), Machakos and Kajiado (12), Makueni and Taita Taveta (9), and Kiambu (8).

Beyond the regions, CA noted a growing trend of illegal ISPs countrywide. These entities typically purchase bandwidth from licensed providers and resell it to end users without securing regulatory approval.

Licensed internet providers have raised concerns about the surge in these operations, arguing they are undercutting them without bearing the costs of regulatory compliance.

“Licensed internet service providers cited unfair competition and the loss of clients to illegal operators,” the CA stated in its latest compliance report for the technology and communication industry for the year ending December 2024.

“They also reckoned it was difficult to identify illegal operators since a number have moved to provide services using fibre networks, as opposed to wireless technologies, where it was easier to detect transmitting masts and antennae.”

Investigation shows that most illegal providers are sourcing their internet from six licensed ISPs—Safaricom, Liquid Telecom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom (Faiba), and Bluestreak Horison (Tandaa)—and then distributing it without the necessary authorisation.

According to the latest data from the regulator, Kenya’s fixed internet market is currently led by Safaricom with a 36 per cent share, followed by Jamii Telecom with 23 per cent, Wananchi Group with 15 per cent, and Poa Internet with 13 per cent.

This is the first time the regulator has published details on the scale of illegal internet provision in Kenya. These unlicensed providers, many of whom offer fibre internet to homes and offices, fall outside CA ambit—meaning customers have no protection from exploitation.

So far, the authority has taken 33 of the illegal operators to court, carried out enforcement actions against 29, and issued 111 enforcement notices, requiring them to comply with the law or face legal action. Some have since complied, according to the CA.

vogweno@ke.nationmedia.com