Please Note:

Your Kenya SIM Card (Safaricom) will require a SIM-unlocked GSM 900 / 1800 compatible international cell phone. If you do not have your own international cell phone, we have several models available for rental or purchase.

Your Kenya SIM card will provide you with a Kenya cellular phone number, which can be found on the white sticker on the back of your SIM card package, just above the barcode. The number begins with 07.

Customer service for your Kenya Safaricom prepaid SIM card is available 24 hours a day by dialing 100 at any time from your Kenya cellular phone.

For emergencies while using your local Kenya GSM SIM card in Kenya please dial 112 from your cell phone.

*You will need to snap out the thumbnail sized Kenya SIM card along the perforated edge of its holder and then insert the Kenya SIM card into your international cell phone with the gold contacts of the SIM card facing the metal contacts of your international cellular phone.

^Your phone will prompt you for a 4 digit PIN code, which is located on the Kenya Prepaid SIM card under PIN1. You will be prompted for PIN1 every time you turn on the phone. The PUK is only required to unblock your phone if you enter a PIN code incorrectly 3 times. Follow your cell phone manual instructions to correctly use the PUK to unblock your phone.

**When calling overseas from the United States to your Kenya cell phone, callers will need to dial 011 254 followed your Kenya cell phone number omitting the leading 0 (zero). To call abroad from your Kenya cell phone simply dial the + key or 00 followed by the country code and phone number.

Airtime Rates

Domestic Calls

The Domestic rates are per minute for outgoing calls within Kenya from your prepaid SIM card while you are in Kenya. All incoming calls, regardless of where they originate, are FREE. All calls are billed per minute. There is a connection charge of KSH 14.50 ($0.19 USD) per DAY regardless of usage.

Off-peak times: Monday to Friday 8pm - 8am, Saturday & Sunday

^KSH 16 ($0.20 USD) deposit required.

*You will need to activate e-mail. Address will be provided by Safaricom upon activation.

International Calls

Making international calls from your world cell phone has never been easier than with your prepaid Kenya SIM card. All rates are listed per minute for international outgoing calls while in Kenya.

For cheaper international and roaming calling rates consider the Passport international SIM card.

Peak times: Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm

Off Peak hours: Monday to Friday 8pm - 8am, Saturday & Sunday

Roaming Calls (calls placed when traveling outside of the country)

Roaming is currently not available with your Kenya service.

GPRS Data Rates (Wireless Internet)

GPRS is currently not available with your Kenya service.

Additional credit is available through the purchase of airtime vouchers, not another SIM card, in Kenya. Airtime vouchers are available locally in Kenya at tabac shops, convenience stores, gas stations and Safaricom shops. The vouchers are available in the following KSH denominations: 250 (30 Day expiration), 500 (60 Day expiration), 1000(120 Day expiration), 2500 (240 Day expiration), 5000 (360 Day expiration), 10000 (485 Day expiration). To recharge your Kenya service, simply follow the instructions below.

REMEMBER: Do NOT purchase another SIM card when your airtime credit is depleted, You only need a recharge voucher. Your incoming calls are always free, even when you run out of airtime.

After your airtime has expired you will have 12 months of incoming calls, however you will not be able to make outgoing calls until you add another airtime voucher. If you have not loaded additional airtime within these 12 months, your mobile phone number will be recycled. To get connected again you will be required to purchase another SIM card. The validity period begins when you arrive in Kenya.

More Information and Resources

Keeping in touch while in Kenya can be very a frustrating and expensive experience without an international cell phone and Kenya SIM card.

Sometimes a payphone takes coins (But how many is anybody's guess!!!), other times a proprietary calling card and still others only a credit card will do with accompanying instructions that would take a week to understand.

Kenya cellular phone rentals can significantly cut down on the frustration of calling home while abroad but the airtime rates would bankrupt all but the thickest of wallets. Airtime rates for a Kenya cell phone rental can typically start at $1.50 and may be as high as $2+/minute.

Think you got a deal on your world phone and plan on doing some international roaming? With international roaming charges the airtime rate you will pay is out of this world.

The Kenya prepaid SIM chip is a quick and easy way to convert your existing world phone into a prepaid Kenya cell phone for Kenya and as discussed is more economical then a Kenya cell phone rental. For your next assignment or vacation in Kenya, this SIM chip (combined with an unlocked GSM World cell phone) helps you stay connected while avoiding those international roaming surcharges that always accompany your 'home' SIM card while abroad. We offer a growing selection of prepaid SIM Cards for other international destinations as well as a wide variety of GSM cell phone accessories and GSM international cell phones.