To:

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK)
The Government of Kenya (GoK)
Relevant Industry Stakeholders

We, the undersigned, call upon the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Government of Kenya to protect consumer interests by ensuring fair competition in the ISP market. The future of Kenya’s digital economy, Vision 2030, and our position as a technology hub in Africa depend on it.

Background:
Kenya's telecommunications sector has long been dominated by a few major players, such as Safaricom and Zuku. This monopolistic behavior has driven up prices, limited innovation, and constrained consumer options.

For example, Safaricom's 40 Mbps home internet plan costs 11,499 KES per month, while Zuku’s 60 Mbps plan costs 5,999 KES. Starlink, however, offers a far more competitive alternative, providing 200 Mbps at a much lower cost, with a rental option for just 1,950 KES per month and a one-time activation fee of 2,700 KES.

This clear pricing disparity illustrates that the current ISP market stifles consumer welfare and innovation, holding back Kenya's technological advancement and overall economic growth.

The European Union's Competitive Model: A Blueprint for Kenya
The European Union is a global leader in promoting fair competition and dismantling monopolies across sectors, including telecommunications. Their model for fostering competition provides a valuable blueprint for Kenya:

1. Vigorous Enforcement of Antitrust Laws: The European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition takes a proactive stance against market abuses by dominant companies, ensuring that competition is preserved and consumers benefit from affordable services.
2. Significant Penalties for Anti-Competitive Behavior: Companies engaging in monopolistic practices face fines that can reach billions of euros, ensuring that no firm benefits from stifling competition.
   Mandates for Infrastructure Sharing: Dominant players are often required to grant competitors access to essential infrastructure, enabling new entrants to offer services without facing prohibitive barriers.
3. Commitment to Consumer Protection: The EU's regulatory framework prioritizes consumer welfare, promoting lower prices, better service quality, and universal access to essential services like high-speed internet.

If Kenya adopts similar principles, it will create a thriving ISP market that benefits both consumers and the broader economy, allowing Kenya to become a leader in the African tech space.

The Importance of Konza Technopolis and Vision 2030
At the heart of Kenya’s Vision 2030 is the development of Konza Technopolis, envisioned as a world-class technology hub and a key driver of Kenya's digital economy. However, without a competitive ISP market, the success of Konza Technopolis—and by extension, Kenya’s position as a technology leader—will be severely compromised.

1. Technological Advancement: Starlink and similar satellite technologies offer an opportunity to rapidly expand high-speed internet access to rural and remote areas, supporting Kenya’s goal of universal internet coverage. Barring these innovations could slow progress toward Konza's "Silicon Savannah" vision.
2. Global Competitiveness: To attract international tech companies and investors to Konza Technopolis, Kenya needs a competitive and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. Monopolies and high prices could discourage investment and limit Konza’s ability to grow as a global tech hub.
3. Economic Growth: Internet connectivity is a key driver of economic growth, especially in digital industries. Without competitive pricing and improved access, the digital economy that Konza Technopolis aims to fuel could be stunted.
4. Skills Development and Innovation Ecosystem: A diverse and competitive ISP market fosters technological innovation and creates more opportunities for Kenya’s young and talented workforce. The success of Konza Technopolis depends on an ecosystem that encourages innovation through access to affordable, high-quality internet.

By promoting a competitive ISP market, Kenya can align itself with its Vision 2030 goals, ensuring that Konza Technopolis becomes a true global leader in technology, creating opportunities for Kenyans and driving the country’s digital transformation.

Our Urgent Appeal:
We urge the CAK, GoK, and relevant stakeholders to take the following actions:

1. Foster Fair Competition: Promote a level playing field that encourages new market entrants like Starlink to thrive and provide more affordable and reliable internet options to Kenyans.
2. Protect Consumer Interests: Policies should prioritize consumers, leading to lower prices, better services, and more choices. The current system benefits only the monopolistic providers, to the detriment of the public.
3. Implement Transparent Regulations: Develop clear, fair, and transparent regulations for ISPs, ensuring that new technologies and alternative providers can operate without unnecessary barriers.
4. Resist Protectionist Measures: Avoid policies that only serve to protect entrenched ISPs at the expense of technological progress and consumer welfare.
5. Encourage Infrastructure Investment: ISPs should be encouraged to invest in infrastructure across Kenya, but such investment should not block the entry of alternative models like satellite internet, which can provide high-speed connectivity to underserved areas.
6. Periodic Market Reviews: The CAK should regularly review the ISP market to prevent monopolistic behaviors and ensure that the market remains competitive, with consumer needs at the forefront.
7. Adopt International Best Practices: Kenya can learn from the European Union, which has successfully prevented monopolistic practices through stringent competition laws and measures to ensure affordable internet for all.
8. Align with Vision 2030 Goals: Any decisions related to the ISP market must align with Kenya's long-term objectives, particularly the development of Konza Technopolis, our country’s future Silicon Savannah.

Why This Matters:
The success of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Konza Technopolis depends on affordable, reliable, and widespread internet access. The entry of new technologies like Starlink represents an opportunity to provide high-speed internet to every corner of Kenya, fostering digital inclusion, innovation, and economic growth.

Monopolies restrict competition, increase prices, and limit technological advancements—jeopardizing Kenya’s long-term goals. We must act now to ensure that Kenya remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution, unlocking the full potential of Vision 2030 and Konza Technopolis.

Sign the Petition:
By signing this petition, you are advocating for a competitive ISP market that lowers prices, improves service quality, and empowers consumers—ensuring that Kenya becomes a true leader in technology and innovation across Africa.

Let’s take a stand for fair competition, consumer rights, and Kenya’s digital future.

Together, we can build a better digital future for Kenya!

Together, we can build a better digital future for Kenya!

And just as the people have spoken before:
Safaricom Must Go!