Send SMS to Kenya online
Kenya is East Africa's commercial hub, with Nairobi as its capital and Mombasa as its main port, and small shops, matatu operators and private clinics are part of daily life. Schools, clinics, and delivery services use text messages to keep customers informed. They send alerts about exam results, appointment reminders, and updates on package arrivals. Texts work well because they reach everyone instantly, even those without smartphones or internet access.
Kenya
+254 · East Africa and Indian Ocean
Price per message
$0.02378
- For $40
- 1,682 SMS
- Alphabet
- GSM-7
- 1,000 messages
- $23.78
- Example number
- +254 712 123456
What a bulk SMS campaign to Kenya costs
Need a different count? The pricing calculator works it out for any number of messages, and the workspace shows the exact total for your own list, including names merged into the text.
| Recipients | 1 segment | 2 segments |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $2.38 | $4.76 |
| 500 | $11.89 | $23.78 |
| 1,000 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
| 5,000 | $118.90 | $237.80 |
| 10,000 | $237.80 | $475.60 |
Who sends text messages to customers in Kenya
Private clinics
Clinics in Nairobi text patients to confirm appointments and remind them of vaccination schedules.
Schools
Schools in Mombasa notify parents about exam dates and parent-teacher meetings via text.
Delivery services
Couriers in Kisumu text customers when their packages are out for delivery.
Market traders
Traders in Nakuru text regular customers about fresh produce arrivals and special offers.
Phone number format in Kenya
A mobile number in Kenya has 9 digits after +254. People write it locally with a 0 in front (0712 123456); paste it like that with Kenya as the default country, or as +254 712 123456, and the workspace treats both the same.
Alphabet and message length
Messages in English and Swahili use the plain GSM-7 alphabet, so a text to Kenya holds 160 characters in one segment and 153 in each part of a longer one. Curly quotes or an emoji pasted from another app switch it to Unicode (70 characters); the composer shows those characters and replaces quotes with plain ones in one click.
Main languages: English and Swahili.
Best time to send to Kenya
Kenya stays on UTC+3 all year, so 10:00 in Nairobi is always 07:00 UTC. The scheduler takes your own time zone and shows the same moment in UTC, which makes a 10:00 local send easy to set from anywhere.
Your business
Text Message · Today 09:30
Hi Lee, your order is ready. Collect it today from 2 pm at the front desk.
More SMS destinations in East Africa and the Indian Ocean
Questions about texting Kenya
How much does it cost to send an SMS to Kenya?
One message (one segment) to Kenya costs $0.02378. A campaign to 1,000 people with a short text costs $23.78, and a two-segment text costs twice that. Failed messages are refunded to your credit.
How many messages to Kenya does a $40 top-up send?
$40 sends 1,682 single-segment messages to Kenya, and more with the bonus on your first top-up. Credit has no expiry date, so what you do not use stays in your account.
How long can a text to Kenya be?
Messages in English and Swahili use the plain GSM-7 alphabet, so a text to Kenya holds 160 characters in one segment and 153 in each part of a longer one. Curly quotes or an emoji pasted from another app switch it to Unicode (70 characters); the composer shows those characters and replaces quotes with plain ones in one click.
What number format do I use for Kenya?
A mobile number in Kenya has 9 digits after +254. People write it locally with a 0 in front (0712 123456); paste it like that with Kenya as the default country, or as +254 712 123456, and the workspace treats both the same.
What language should I use for texts in Kenya?
English works well for most audiences, while Swahili is ideal for reaching a broader local audience, especially in rural areas.
Are there times when texts are less effective?
Avoid sending texts during public holidays like Jamhuri Day or Easter, as people may be less likely to check their phones.
Ready to text Kenya?
Create an account, paste your Kenya numbers and see the exact total before you send. Top up from $40: that is 1,682 messages to Kenya.