Crackdown on illegal ISPs: CA uncovers 132 unlicensed internet providers across Kenya
With illegal operations spreading across multiple regions, the CA is intensifying efforts to secure the internet market and ensure that users are served by providers who meet the required legal and quality benchmarks.
Kenya's internet landscape is under scrutiny after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) uncovered widespread use of illegal service providers, many of whom are offering unregulated fibre internet to homes and offices. A total of 132 illegal operators were found across 15 counties.
According to the report, more than half of these illegal ISPs (internet service providers) were located in just seven counties.
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Mombasa and Kwale had the highest number, recording a total of 38 unlicensed providers. Kilifi had 12, while Meru, Embu, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri registered 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).
The CA has expressed concern about the national spread of the trend, which it says poses serious risks to users and disrupts fair business practices.
Most of these operators purchase internet bandwidth from licensed ISPs and then resell it to end users without approval. The CA warned that such operations fall outside its regulatory scope, meaning users lack safeguards in case of exploitation or service failure.
"Licensed internet service providers cited unfair competition and the loss of clients to illegal operators," the CA stated in its latest report covering 2024.
The CA explained that detection of illegal operators has become more challenging, as many have transitioned from wireless systems to fibre, which does not require visible transmission structures like antennas or masts.
Investigations show that six authorised providers—Safaricom, Liquid Telecom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya, Jamii Telecom (Faiba), and Bluestreak Horison (Tandaa)—supply the bandwidth that is being resold without licenses.
In terms of market dominance, Safaricom leads with 36 per cent, followed by Jamii Telecom (23 per cent), Wananchi Group (15 per cent), and Poa Internet (13 per cent).
In its ongoing crackdown, the CA has already taken 33 illegal providers to court, carried out enforcement on 29 others, and issued 111 compliance notices. Some have since adjusted their operations to meet legal standards.
With illegal operations spreading across multiple regions, the CA is intensifying efforts to secure the internet market and ensure that users are served by providers who meet the required legal and quality benchmarks.
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