SMS & Telecom Governance
Who Regulates Messaging & Telecom in Kenya?
Regulatory Authority
Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)
Governs all SMS traffic and telecom policies
Ensures compliance for businesses
Telecom Operators
Safaricom
Airtel
Telkom
- Both operators deliver the infrastructure necessary for enterprise SMS services.
- Sender ID registration and message content approval are managed through their platforms.
Telecom Market share in Kenya
Safaricom dominates Kenya’s telecom market with approximately 60–65% share, followed by Airtel Kenya with 30–33%, while Telkom Kenya and smaller operators account for the remaining 5–7%.
Country Summary Snapshot
Kenya - An Overview
| Country Code | KE |
|---|---|
| Region | Middle East & Africa |
| Capital | Nairobi |
| Currency | Kenyan Shilling |
| Language | Swahili, English |
| Calling Code | +254 |
| MCC | 639 |
| Mobile Number Portability | Yes |
| Two Way SMS supported | No |
| Character Limit | 160 Characters |
| Concatenated Messages Support | Yes |
| SenderID Registration Required | Yes |
Regulation
SMS Regulations
Businesses and organisations must comply with Kenya’s telecom regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), to send SMS legally. Separate regulations apply for domestic SMS traffic and international messaging, covering Sender ID registration, opt-in consent, and content compliance to prevent spam and misuse.
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Sender ID Registrations
The companies that are planning to send SMS in the Kenya must register their Sender ID. There are separate guidelines for local and international entities to register the SenderID.
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