Starlink begins disconnecting Kenyan users for failure to verify IDs

Starlink has started suspending Kenyan users who failed to adhere to the mandatory registration directive for identity verification, with an initial deadline of April 30, 2026.

Affected customers have started receiving suspension notices today following the closure of the registration window.

“As required by local authorities, your Starlink service for ACC XXX-XXX has been suspended until required information has been submitted and verified,” part of the notice reads.

In a notice to users in February, the satellite internet provider said the requirement is in line with directives from local authorities. The Elon Musk-owned company asked customers to visit an authorised retailer in Kenya with a valid government-issued ID to verify their identity.

In addition, the registration was made mandatory for all its customers in the country, regardless of when they subscribed to the service or the plan.

The directive from the Kenyan government comes as a change to previous operations. It forms part of an attempt to bring Starlink closer in line with the country’s broader SIM card and telecoms registration framework, including identity verification for mobile and internet services.

All Starlink’s 22,000 subscribers are expected to comply with the directive, aimed at incorporating them into the country’s internet user registry.

Also Read: South Africa resumes ICT law review that could enable Starlink’s launch.

What happens to suspended Starlink users

For now, affected users cannot access the service since they are blocked from using their hardware. However, this is not permanent.

To restore their services, suspended Kenyan Starlink users will need to complete their verification process at any authorised retailer in Kenya.

Mobile network operators and internet service providers in the East African country already operate under strict Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements enforced by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). SIM card registration and identity verification have been made compulsory for security and fraud prevention.

By linking Starlink’s user accounts to verified physical identities within the country, Kenyan regulators can ensure that satellite connectivity adheres to the same accountability and transparency standards as other internet services.

For Starlink, the directive is important for a company often viewed as a decentralised service from traditional internet service providers in Kenya. Its satellite-based infrastructure allows subscribers to bypass terrestrial fibre networks controlled by licensed local operators.

Although the requirement has been described as both a sweeping measure and a move to restructure regulatory compliance in the country’s telecom industry.