Messaging in Kenya

High-quality SMS delivery to Kenya and multichannel business messages routing to Whatsapp,
Viber and RCS with low prices and exceptional Messaggio platform capacity.

Mobile operators users (Ths.)

Mobile market shares

Message pricing
  • SMS from € 0.03500
  • Viber from € 0.01580
  • WhatsApp from € 0.04929
  • RCS price on request
See pricng

Kenya on the world map

Country info

Country info
CapitalNairobi
LanguageEnglish
Languages
  • English
  • Swahili
Nairobi timezoneGMT+3
Current time04/11 00:55
CurrencyKSh (KES)
VAT16.00%
Population47 564 296
Cellular users42 609 000
Mobile penetration89.58%
Country info
Country codeKE
Calling code+254
Mobile number portability, MNPNo
Mobile country code, MCC639
Start messaging in Kenya

Major mobile carriers in Kenya

Check the best prices on business messaging for Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom and other carriers in Kenya

MCCMNCMCCMNCCarrierOther names
63902Bulk and OTP SMS on Safaricom via MessaggioSafaricomyu, Essar Telecom, Econet Wireless
6390163901Bulk and OTP SMS on Safaricom via MessaggioSafaricom

63903Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtelBharti Airtel, Celtel, Zain
6390563905Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

YuEssar; Essar Telecom; Econet Wireless, network sold to Safaricom in 2014, subscribers moved to Airtel

6390763907Bulk and OTP SMS on Telkom via MessaggioTelkomOrange

MCCMNC in Kenya

There are 5 MVNOs (Mobile virtual network operators) in Kenya. Virtual operators might either obtain dedicated MCCMNC code, or just a white-label from one of the carriers, without mobile network code.

View SMS pricing in Kenya

63902, 63903, 63907, 63909, 63910, 63911

  • 2FA (Two factors authentification)
  • OTP (One time password)
  • A2P (Application to persons)
  • P2A (Persons to application)
  • RBM (Rich business messaging)

MVNO Mobile virtual network operators in Kenya

MCCMNCMCCMNCMVNOOther namesBase network
63903016390301Bulk and OTP SMS on Equitel via MessaggioEquitel

Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

63903026390302Zioncell

Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

6390463904Mobile Pay Inactive.

Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

6390663906FinserveFinserve Africa Inactive.

Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

6390863908Bulk and OTP SMS on Sema Mobile via MessaggioSema Mobile

Bulk and OTP SMS on Airtel via MessaggioAirtel

MVNO is an addition to a regular telecom operator, which is a different on the same physical network.

The biggest difference between the different MVNOs is that they don’t have their own dedicated base stations, cell towers, or transmitters.

There are 2 different types of MVNOs: independent networks with their own network code and call routing, or a network with only a base operator SIM card with a different design.

MVNOs have their own autonomous network for sending shorter messages (including RCS and SMS), and utilize their operator’s parent network.

Users usually don’t understand the difference between MVNO and the main operator brands – they just compare the rates.

MVNO tariffs are very profitable locally, but even more expensive are the roaming tariffs that are pricier than the parent operator.

MVNOs also change brands a lot, and in the column of the “Other Names” table you’ll see the prior names of the virtual operator (if there are any).

Sometimes the operator purchases a MVNO company based solely on its network. They then merge their own brand with this new one they’ve purchased. When this happens, the MVNO no longer exists as a separator operator, and a brand-new entry is added to the MCCMNC networks that the operator has.

Obsolete, inactive and special types of mobile operators in Kenya

MCCMNCMCCMNCCarrierOther names
63903026390302Zioncell
6390863908Sema Mobile
6390963909Homeland Media Group
6391063910FaibaJamii Telecommunications
6391163911WiAfrica

MNC withdrawn

There are cases when mobile network codes are occupied not by mobile carriers, but government structures (military, railway, landline phone authorities), fixed and broadband internet providers, scientific organisations, etc. Some MCCMNCs belong to obsolete legal entities, acquired by other market players or went to bankruptcy, but codes are kept for a certain period for legacy purposes.

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How to send messages in Kenya

01

Create account

Sign up for Messaggio for free, no need credit card required

Create account
02

Register a Sender name

Choose a Sender name for SMS channel, usually it's a website address or brand

More info
03

Launch SMS messaging

Create an SMS campaign in Messaggio Dashboard, setup plugin or integrate an API

More info

Plugins & Modules

Easy integration without code! Try business messaging plugins for popular CRM, website and online shop management systems.

View plugins catalogue

SMS messaging

The most common communication channel, for both mass-sendings and trigger notifications.

Viber Business Messages

A wide range of business tools: in-app advertising, notifications and chat with clients in the messenger.

WhatsApp Business API

Chatting and interactive notification messages in one of the most popular instant messengers.