Telephone numbers in Kenya are organized under a national numbering plan administered by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK). The plan follows the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommendations and uses the country calling code +254.
Country Code
- +254 is the international dialing prefix for Kenya. When calling into Kenya from abroad, the leading “0” of the national number is omitted.
Number Structure
- National Significant Number (NSN) length: 9 digits.
- Format:
0X XXX XXXXfor domestic calls, where the leading “0” is the trunk prefix. - International format:
+254 X XXX XXXX.
Number Types
| Type | Prefix(es) | Example (National) | Example (International) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline (fixed‑line) | 20, 41, 45, 47, 52, 57, 63, 71, 73, 78, 79, 81, 88 | 020 123 4567 | +254 20 123 4567 |
| Mobile | 7 – 8 – 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 (Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, etc.) | 07 123 456 789 | +254 7 123 456 789 |
| Special / Service | 1 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (e.g., emergency, directory, premium services) | 112 (emergency) | N/A |
| Toll‑free | 0800, 0801, 0802 | 0800 123 456 | +254 800 123 456 |
| Premium rate | 0900, 0901, 0902 | 0900 123 456 | +254 900 123 456 |
Dialing Procedures
- Local calls (same area): Dial the 9‑digit NSN directly (e.g.,
072 123 4567). - National long‑distance calls: Prefix the trunk code “0” followed by the full 9‑digit NSN (e.g.,
020 123 4567for a landline in Nairobi). - International calls to Kenya: Dial the international access code of the originating country (e.g., 011 from the United States, 00 from many European nations), then
254, and the NSN without the leading “0” (e.g.,+254 722 123 456).
Emergency and Public Service Numbers
- 112 – General emergency (police, fire, ambulance).
- 999 – Police (alternative emergency number).
- 119 – Ambulance.
- 110 – Fire service.
Number Portability
Kenya implemented mobile number portability (MNP) in 2012, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching service providers. Ported numbers maintain the original prefix, which may not reflect the current network operator.
Regulatory Context
The Communications Authority of Kenya oversees allocation, assignment, and regulation of telephone numbers. The authority publishes the “National Numbering Plan” and updates it periodically to accommodate new services and market changes.
References
- Communications Authority of Kenya, National Numbering Plan (latest revision).
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Country Code List – Kenya (+254).
- Kenya Information and Communications (Regulation) Act, 2013.
All information reflects publicly available sources as of the latest known updates; no speculative content is included.
