Kenya phone code +254: mobile format & how to dial

Key facts

International code+254

International format+254 7XX XXX XXXe.g. +254 712 345 678

Mobile prefixes7XX XXX XXXe.g. 712 345 678

Mobile length9 digits

Domestic trunk0

How to read a number

First draft — not yet verified item by item

+254712345678

+254Country code: Kenya.
7Mobile prefix (example): Written 07 domestically — 0 is the trunk prefix, dropped when dialling from abroad. Other mobile ranges are listed under “Number ranges & quality”.
12345678Remaining 8 digits: Allocated to carriers in blocks; usually doesn’t reveal the current carrier.

Domestic format: 0712 345 678.

This section checked 2026-09-13.

Number ranges & quality

Range	Type	Notes
`07xx / 01xx (e.g. 07xx-xxx-xxx, 9 digits locally)`	Mobile carrier	Kenyan mobile numbers start with 07 or 01 (Safaricom / Airtel / Telkom).

Intl SMSStable

Virtual-number riskLow

ID requiredRegistration is mandatory (Legal Notice No. 90 of 2025): foreigners use a valid passport or Foreign National Registration Certificate; biometrics are not mandated (CA clarification).

Physical SIMs can sign up without issues.

Carriers & prefixes

Mobile prefixes by carrier.

First draft — not yet verified item by item

Number portability status unverified.

Safaricom Mobile carrier

Owner: Vodacom / Government of Kenya / Public Float
Airtel Kenya Mobile carrier

Owner: Bharti Airtel
Telkom Kenya Mobile carrier

Owner: Government of Kenya
Jamii Telecommunications (Faiba 4G) Mobile carrier

Owner: Jamii Telecommunications Limited

This section checked 2026-09-13. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_network_operators_in_the_Middle_East_and_Africa

SIM cards & keeping a number

Kenya’s new subscriber registration regulations (Legal Notice No. 90) took effect on 30 May 2025: foreigners register with a valid passport or Foreign National Registration Certificate. The regulations define “biometric data”, but the Communications Authority publicly clarified that fingerprints and similar biometrics are not mandated. After an operator sends a notice of intent to suspend, a SIM is permanently deactivated if nothing is done within 90 days. In practice stores also check a visa and take a live photo — that part comes from third-party guides and operator practice.

Notably, Safaricom sells Daima, a keep-number subscription aimed at people living abroad or away for long periods: pay once and the number stays active with no regular top-ups. Without Daima, Safaricom’s prepaid terms say an account “expires” after 120 days of inactivity following the end of the last recharge’s validity, after which Safaricom may deactivate the number and resell it.

Safaricom Daima

Number-keeping SIM

Network: Safaricom’s own network (Kenya’s largest operator)
Price: Per Safaricom’s press release: KSh 200 for 6 months, KSh 500 for 1 year, KSh 1,000 for 2 years, each including 20 minutes and 20 SMS per month across networks
Keeping the number: The number stays active for the subscription period with no further top-ups; subscribe via *100*4# or the MySafaricom app. Without Daima, the official prepaid terms apply: an account expires after 120 days of inactivity following the end of the last recharge’s validity, after which Safaricom may deactivate and recycle the number. The terms count chargeable calls, SMS, data and M-PESA as use
ID check: Under the 2025 regulations, foreigners use a valid passport or Foreign National Registration Certificate; stores usually also check a visa and take a live photo (third-party guides)
SMS & calls: A normal Kenyan number; cost of receiving SMS while roaming in China not verified

Pros

An official keep-number product at KSh 500 a year, designed for people abroad
Includes 20 minutes and 20 SMS a month

Watch out

First registration still has to be done in person in Kenya
Without Daima, 120 days of inactivity can cost you the number
Cost of receiving SMS in China not verified

Where to buy: safaricom.co.ke

Sources: www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center-landing/press-releases/safaricom-launches-daima-service-to-enable-customers-keep-numbers-active-up-to-2-years · www.safaricom.co.ke/media-center-landing/terms-and-conditions/safaricom-prepay-services · www.ca.go.ke/sites/default/files/2025-09/The%20Kenya%20Information%20and%20Communications%20(Registration%20of%20Telecommunications%20Services%20Subscriber)%20Regulations%202025.pdf · repository.ca.go.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/815/SIM-Registration-FAQs_A5-With-Photo-28-APR-22.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y · www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2025/11/sim-registration-regulations-kenya-2025-explainer

From user and blogger reports; platform risk rules change often — treat as a guide only. This section checked 2026-09-16.

Sign-up availability

What to expect when signing up for these services with a physical SIM from this country:

ChatGPT Works

Claude Works

WhatsApp Works

Telegram Works

LINE Works

WeChat Works

X Works

TikTok Works

Gemini Works

Jump to another country

Calling Kenya from abroad

Dial +254, then the local number. Drop the leading trunk prefix 0.

Generate the full number →

Dialing within Kenya

For domestic long distance dial 0 first, then the area code. Local calls and mobiles: dial directly.

Elsewhere in Africa

Community tips

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Common premise & disclaimer

Applies to every platform: VoIP / virtual numbers and heavily-reused number pools get rejected. Physical SIM only.

Checked 2026-09-12. Platform region policies and number-range allocations change — always confirm against each platform’s official supported-regions list and the carrier’s notices.

Sources：www.anthropic.com/supported-countries · support.google.com/gemini?p=gemini_web_availability

Kenya +254