Kenya eSIM providers at a glance

ProviderDataDurationPriceHotspot
Airalo Top pick1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$4.50 – $26YesDetails →
Yesim Unlimited1 – Unlimited3 – 30 days$2.00 – $55YesDetails →
Saily1 – 20 GB7 – 30 days$3.49 – $24YesDetails →
DrimsimPay-as-you-goNo expiry~$4.50/GBYesDetails →

Starting prices shown. Plans and pricing change — verify on Airalo, Yesim, Saily, or Drimsim before purchasing.

Detailed provider reviews for Kenya

Airalo

Recommended

Airalo partners with Safaricom and other major carriers in Kenya for reliable coverage. Polished app, wide plan range, proven reliability.

1 GB
$4.50 · 7 days
3 GB
$8.50 · 15 days
5 GB
$11.50 · 30 days
10 GB
$16.00 · 30 days
20 GB
$26.00 · 30 days
Pros
  • Partners with Safaricom — strong local coverage
  • Proven reliability with millions of users
  • Clean app with real-time data tracking
  • Regional plans available for multi-country trips
  • Hotspot/tethering on all plans
Cons
  • Not always the cheapest per GB
  • 1 GB plan insufficient for heavy users
  • No true unlimited option in all countries
  • Slightly pricier at entry level than Saily
Visit Airalo →

Yesim

Best price

Yesim offers unlimited data plans for Kenya — ideal for digital nomads and heavy users. Competitive pricing on larger packages.

1 GB
$1.50 · 3 days
5 GB
$7.50 · 14 days
10 GB
$12.00 · 30 days
Unlimited
$27.60 · 7 days
Pros
  • Unlimited data plans available
  • SwitchLess network technology for best signal
  • Competitive pricing on larger packages
  • Real-time usage monitoring
Cons
  • Fewer budget small-data plans
  • Fair usage cap on unlimited (~70 GB/mo)
  • VPN feature iOS-only
  • Fewer user reviews than Airalo
Visit Yesim →

Saily

Privacy-focused

Saily provides Kenya plans with built-in ad blocking and web protection. Cheapest entry at $3.49 with NordVPN privacy features.

1 GB
$3.49 · 7 days
3 GB
$7.99 · 30 days
5 GB
$11.99 · 30 days
20 GB
$22.99 · 30 days
Pros
  • Built-in ad blocker and web protection
  • Cheapest 1 GB entry plan
  • NordVPN security pedigree
  • Clean minimal app
Cons
  • Fewer countries (150+) than Airalo
  • Newer provider with fewer reviews
  • 30-day activation window
  • No unlimited option
Visit Saily →

Drimsim

Pay-as-you-go

Drimsim works in Kenya on a pay-per-MB basis. Useful as backup or for multi-country trips.

Pay-as-you-go
~$4.00/GB
No expiry
Balance never expires
Pros
  • Pay only for data you use
  • Works in 197 countries
  • Balance never expires
  • Good backup for multi-country trips
Cons
  • Higher per-GB cost than prepaid
  • No bulk discounts
  • Basic app
  • Not suitable as primary data
Visit Drimsim →

How much data do you need in Kenya?

Kenya has good Wi-Fi in Nairobi hotels and safari lodges. Mobile data is important for M-Pesa payments, Uber, and staying connected between game drives.

Our recommendation: 5 GB for a 2-week trip including safari. Lodges have Wi-Fi for heavy use.

Network coverage in Kenya

Safaricom dominates with the widest coverage including national parks. Masai Mara, Amboseli, and Tsavo have Safaricom coverage in camps and along main tracks. Deep bush areas may be offline.

Tips for using an eSIM in Kenya

M-Pesa is everywhere. Kenya runs on mobile money (M-Pesa). While tourists don't need it, understanding that Kenya is a mobile-first economy explains why Safaricom coverage is so good.

Uber works in Nairobi. Safe and reliable for getting around the capital.

Safari lodge Wi-Fi. Most lodges have Wi-Fi — use eSIM as supplement, not primary connection.

Frequently asked questions

Airalo is the most reliable choice for Kenya with strong local carrier partnerships. For unlimited data, Yesim offers the best value. Budget travelers should start with Saily's $3.49 plan.
For typical tourist use (maps, messaging, social media): 3–5 GB per week. Heavy users who work remotely or stream should budget 10+ GB or choose unlimited.
Yes. Modern smartphones support dual SIM. Keep your physical SIM for calls/SMS while using the eSIM for data. You'll still receive verification codes on your home number.
For most travelers, yes. eSIM activates instantly without passport registration or queues. Coverage uses the same networks as local SIMs. The convenience advantage is significant.