Samsung Africa Forum should have coordinated with the Kenyan Tech community to promote this event. The manner this event was being promoted is too old school. Anyway, I thought that it would be good if we help those coming to Nairobi for the first time from outside Kenya on how to get their way around and get connected while around.
Data Connection
In Kenya, Safaricom is the only GSM network which has a 3G connection operational thought Airtel and Orange are also in the process of installing similar network. Orange Kenya has a CDMA EVO network they market as 3G+. It is as fast as Safaricom 3G network and the best thing is that it is have very great data packages including uncapped data. Airtel still runs on EDGE and Yu is partly on GPRS and partly on EDGE. So the main connections you should be looking at while in Nairobi should be either Safaricom or Orange.
Yu Data Bundles and Rates
- Unlimited Daily: Kes. 49.00
- Unlimited Monthly: Kes. 999.00
- 100 MB Data Bundle: Kes. 250.00
- 250 MB Data Bundle: Kes. 500.00
- 750 MB Data Bundle: Kes. 1,000.00
- 3 GB Data Bundle: Kes. 2,000.00
Phone contact
Call 100 from a yu line (Free)
Or +254 20 750 100100 (chargeable
Safaricom Data Bundles and Rates
| Charge in Kshs | Bundle | Validity | Rate Per MB |
| 100 | 30MB | 30 | 3.3 |
| 250 | 80MB | 30 | 3.13 |
| 499 | 200MB | 30 | 2.5 |
| 999 | 600MB | 30 | 1.67 |
| 1,999 | 1.5GB | 30 | 1.33 |
| 2,499 | 1GB | 30 | 1.22 |
| 3,999 | 4GB | 30 | 0.98 |
| 9,999 | 20GB | 90 | |
| 14,999 | 30GB | 90 |
PrePay: Call 100 (Free)
Or 0722002100, +254 20 427 2100 (chargeable)
Email: customercare@safaricom.co.ke
PostPay: 200 (Free)
Or +254 20 427 2200, 0722002200 (chargeable)
Email: advantage@safaricom.co.ke
Data Queries: mobileoffice@safaricom.co.ke
Twitter @safaricomltd
Safaricom Limited
P.O.Box 66827, 00800 Nairobi
Telephone: +254 20 427 3272
Website: www.safaricom.co.ke
Airtel Kenya Data Bundles and Rates
Unlimited Prepaid Internet Bundles.
- Unlimited 1 day @ Kes. 250.00
- Unlimited 10 days @ Kes. 1,250.00
- Unlimited 20 days @ Kes. 2,250.00
- Unlimited 30 days @ 3,250.00
Prepaid Internet Bundles.
- 25 MB @ Kes. 100.00
- 70 MB @ Kes. 250.00
- 150 MB @ Kes. 500.00
- 500 MB @ Kes. 1,250.00
- 1 GB @ Kes. 1,750
Help for Prepaid customers
If you are a Airtel Prepaid subscriber, dial 111 from your mobile phone or (+254 (0) 733100111) if you are abroad.
Help for Postpaid customers
To call us, just dial 111 or +254 733100111 if you are calling from a different network
Orange Kenya Data Bundles and Rates
| Bundle Price (KES) | Bundle Size (MB) | Validity Duration |
| 150 | 100 | 30 days |
| 250 | 200 | 30 Days |
| 450 | 400 | 30 Days |
| 850 | 1,000 | 30 Days |
| 1500 | 2,000 | 30 Days |
| 2200 | 4,000 | 30 Days |
| 990 | Unlimited | 7 Days |
| 3,900 | 8,000 | 30 Days |
| 4,990 | 10,000 | 30 Days |
| 6,490 | 14,000 | 30 Days |
| 9,490 | 20,000 | 30 Days |
Personally, I am using Orange 3G+ and I am on the Ksh 990 for the 7 days unlimited bundle which is just reliable enough for me. I am a very heavy user. The Modem rates for all providers is around Ksh 2,000 and you wont find much difference. There are also some promotions like Safaricom now has a Ksh 2 per minute. Safaricom and Airtel bundles are loaded through SMS while Orange is loaded through the portal. You can get instructions on loading the data bundles from the above links.
If you are just looking for a very comfortable place to file your stories or experience speeds of internet beyong 10mbps, I have two places:
1. Loungenet Cyber, 7th Floor Norwich Union House, Next to Hilton Hotel
This cyber has GREAT speeds. Sometimes going even beyond 50mbps downloads and 10Mbps uploads. You will get great service here plus they sell soft drinks.
2. Browse Kenya, 4th Floor, Norwich Union House, Next to Hilton Hotel
Great speeds also but just in the range of 2 Mbps uploads and downloads
3. Burger Dome, Old Mutual House, Opposite The Stanley Hotel
Great speeds, efficient customer service and they have a first food restaurant.
4. Internet Surf-Point, 2nd Floor, Kenya Cinema
Great atmosphere, great service and you can connect your laptops
Eating Out, Relaxing and Partying in Nairobi
If you want to eat out in Nairobi, you can try the various local spots. You should check on this guide or head to the Eatout Kenya site or Kenya Buzz. They will provide you with a great guide on what to expect and which joints are friendly to techies. Kenya Buzz also has a great guide on where you can party and it is a guide for every pocket.
You enjoyed your stay or have anything to say? Comment below.
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