If you have been scrolling through TikTok recently, you might have stumbled upon legitimate-looking ads offering “Starlink Bundles” for your Safaricom or Airtel line. The offers promise “pure speed” with “no dish needed” at dirt-cheap prices.
Do not click. Do not pay.
We have confirmed that a new wave of scams is sweeping through Kenyan social media, capitalizing on the recent buzz surrounding direct-to-cell satellite connectivity to defraud users. Here is everything you need to know to stay safe.
The scammers are smart; they are building their lie on a foundation of truth. Just a couple of weeks ago, Airtel Africa and Starlink announced a major partnership to bring direct-to-mobile connectivity to the continent.
That news is real. However, the details of that partnership clearly stated that the direct-to-cell service is projected to begin in 2026. There is currently no commercially available direct-to-mobile Starlink service active in Kenya today.
Despite this, scammers have flooded TikTok with accounts claiming to offer this service right now.
According to reports and screenshots analyzed by Techish, a network of TikTok accounts with handles like @starlinkke, @starlink_home, @starlinke254, and @starlink.home, among others, are pushing these fake services.
The accounts use official-looking Starlink branding and well-designed graphics to peddle data packages that seem too good to be true—because they are.
Looking at the “menus” being circulated, the scammers are offering:
- 5GB for KES 55 valid for 1 day
- 15GB for KES 155 valid for 14 days
- Unlimited Data for just KES 269 (valid for 30 days)
These prices are significantly lower than standard market rates from Safaricom or Airtel, serving as the perfect bait for unsuspecting users looking for a deal during the holiday season.
For this article, I tried buying the daily plan of KES 55 for 5GB from one of the providers (@starlinkke). After clicking on the purchase link provided in the bio, I was redirected to a web browser with “Starlink bundles” (see image below – left), where you can select a suitable Starlink Home package for Safaricom, Airtel, and Telcom. This page also has an email support button, which, when I clicked, revealed the email address “starnetkenya46@gmail.com.” I then tapped on “Buy” and got presented with the screen seen in the image below (right).
The Till Number belongs to BMF SOLUTIONS, which is unknown to me, although there are several results that pop up with a simple Google search. Still, I proceeded with the purchase and got the M-PESA message seen in the screenshot below. But I never received any SMS confirming the purchase or the bundles:
So, if you encounter these ads, here is why you should swipe past immediately:
1. The “Safaricom” connection is fake. The most glaring error in this scam is the inclusion of Safaricom and Telkom. The fraudulent ads claim to connect “Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom.”
In reality, the exclusive direct-to-cell partnership announced recently was strictly between Starlink and Airtel Africa. Safaricom has not announced any such direct-to-mobile partnership with Starlink. In fact, Safaricom has historically competed with satellite internet providers regarding regulatory concerns, although they’ve recently decided to work with Starlink for better mobile coverage in remote areas. If Safaricom were offering Starlink data, it would be front-page news, not a quiet TikTok post.
2. The timeline doesn’t add up. As noted earlier, the technology required to beam data directly from Starlink satellites to your unmodified smartphone (Direct to Cell) is set to roll out in 2026. Claims that you can access this “No dish, no hassle” service in December 2025 are technologically false.
3. Unverified sources. None of the accounts promoting these bundles are verified on TikTok. They often have generic names like “Starlink Bundles Kenya” and use recycled audio or AI-generated voices to mimic legitimate tech influencers.
4. The payment method. While we haven’t tested the payment link (and strongly advise you don’t either), these scams typically operate by asking for direct M-PESA transfers to personal numbers or “Buy Goods” tills that have no official association with Starlink or the local telcos. Once the money is sent, the “bundle” never arrives.
What to do
If you see these posts on your timeline:
- Report the account: Use TikTok’s reporting feature to flag the account for “Frauds and Scams.”
- Check official sources: Always verify new products via the official Safaricom, Airtel, or Starlink websites.
- Spread the word: Share this article with friends and family who might be tempted by the promise of monthly unlimited internet for KES 269.
Starlink’s direct-to-cell rollout in Kenya is real, but it is not here yet. Anyone selling it today is selling fiction, not internet.
As always, official announcements about network services in Kenya come directly from mobile operators, not freshly created TikTok accounts with suspiciously similar usernames. If it sounds too good to be true, especially in Kenyan data pricing, it usually is.
