The 254 country code is used to make international phone calls to Kenya. Kenya is an East African country located on the equator with a population of approximately 47 million people. The capital and largest city is Nairobi.
When making international phone calls, it is necessary to use a country code, also known as a dialing code or international calling code. This numeric prefix uniquely identifies each country or region on the telephone network. The 254 country code is the identifier for Kenya.
Country codes were introduced by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in order to facilitate international direct dialing (IDD) calls. The ITU oversees the allocation and management of country codes and related resources. Most country codes are 1-3 digits long.
Calling Kenya from another country requires dialing the exit code of the originating country, followed by Kenya’s country code 254, the area code without the leading 0, and finally the local phone number. For example, to call a number in Nairobi from the United States or Canada, one would dial 011 + 254 + 20 + local number.
History of the 254 Country Code
Kenya was assigned the 254 country code by the ITU in the 1970s and early 1980s as countries across Africa and Asia gained independence and joined the United Nations. During this period, many former colonies were given their own country codes as they established independent telecommunications networks.
Previously, Kenya was part of the East African Common Services Organization, which consisted of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under British rule. Phone calls between these countries were made using short internal network codes. After Kenya’s independence in 1963, it initially retained the same internal dialing plan.
In the 1970s, as the East African community disintegrated and countries sought to establish their own international networks, Kenya was allocated the 254 code. This formally identified Kenya in the international telephone numbering plan and enabled direct dialing into and out of the country.
Geographic Location
Kenya is located in Eastern Africa, on the equator along the Indian Ocean. It borders Somalia to the northeast, Ethiopia to the north, South Sudan to the northwest, Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the east. With an area of 224,081 square miles, it is about twice the size of the US state of Nevada.
Some key facts about Kenya’s geography:
- Located in Eastern Africa, on the equator on the coast of the Indian Ocean
- Bordered by 5 countries: Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania
- Total area of 224,081 square miles
- Consists of a coastal region, interior plateaus and highlands including Mount Kenya, the Great Rift Valley, and Lake Victoria.
- Climate is tropical along the coast and arid in interior regions
- Terrain includes low plains rising to central highlands split by the Great Rift Valley
Kenya’s location along historic trade routes and its access to the Indian Ocean made it a hub for the region throughout history. Today, Kenya’s geographic position continues to shape its economy and role in East Africa.
Country Profile
Here is an overview of Kenya’s country profile:
- Official Name: Republic of Kenya
- Capital: Nairobi
- Population: Approximately 47 million (2019 estimate)
- Official Languages: English, Swahili
- Government: Presidential republic
- President: Uhuru Kenyatta
- Land Area: 224,081 square miles
- Currency: Kenyan Shilling
- GDP: $99.246 billion (2019 estimate)
- Major Exports: Tea, horticulture, coffee
- Calling Code: +254
- Internet TLD: .ke
Kenya is an independent republic with a diverse population of over 40 different indigenous ethnic groups. Agriculture is a major sector of the economy along with tourism, manufacturing and telecommunications.
Telecommunications Infrastructure
Kenya has extensive telecommunications infrastructure to support phone and internet connectivity:
- 4G/LTE mobile networks with over 90% population coverage
- 3 mobile network operators: Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom Kenya
- Over 50 million mobile subscriptions
- Fiber optic cables and microwave radio relay for long distance connectivity
- 5 submarine cables landing at the port city of Mombasa
- VSAT, DSL, ISDN, leased line internet available
- Over 45 million internet users or 83% of the population
Kenya was one of the first countries in Africa to land a fiber optic cable in 2009, which drove rapid growth in mobile and internet access. The country continues to invest in telecom infrastructure to support economic development.
Dialing 254 from Other Countries
To call a phone number in Kenya from another country, callers must dial:
- The exit code of the originating country (to access an international line)
- Kenya’s country code: 254
- The local area code, without the leading 0
- The local number
For example, to call a Nairobi number from the United States or Canada, a caller would dial:
011 + 254 + 20 + Local 8-digit number
Here are some examples of dialing 254 to call Kenya from other countries:
| Country | To dial Kenya |
|---|---|
| United States/Canada | 011 + 254 + CC + Local # |
| United Kingdom | 00 + 254 + CC + Local # |
| Australia | 001 + 254 + CC + Local # |
| South Africa | 00 + 254 + CC + Local # |
| Nigeria | 009 + 254 + CC + Local # |
| UAE | 00 + 254 + CC + Local # |
CC = Area code without the leading 0
Using Kenya’s 254 country code enables clear, reliable connections when making international calls into the country. It routes calls directly through global telecom networks to the intended destination.
254 Calling Code Facts
Some interesting facts about Kenya’s 254 country code:
- 254 has been Kenya’s country code since the 1970s when direct international calling was introduced
- It applies to the entire country and all area codes
- Must be dialed along with the area code without the leading 0 (such as 20 for Nairobi)
- Enables calls to fixed line and mobile phones in Kenya
- Replaced regional East African calling codes used during colonial times
- Part of the ITU’s International Public Telecommunication Numbering Plan
- Allows over 50 million calls annually between Kenya and other countries worldwide
The 254 code helps identify Kenya globally and makes it easier for Kenyans living abroad to stay in touch with friends and family back home. It is an important part of the country’s telecommunications ecosystem.
Mobile Network Operators
There are 3 major mobile network operators in Kenya that use the 254 country code:
Safaricom
- Kenya’s largest mobile operator
- State-owned telecom company Telkom Kenya was privatized and rebranded as Safaricom in 1997
- Has over 35 million subscribers currently
- Operates 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE networks
- Popular services include M-PESA mobile money
Airtel Kenya
- Owned by India’s Bharti Airtel group
- Second largest operator with over 12 million subscribers
- Originally launched as Kencell in 2000, rebranded as Zain in 2008, then Airtel in 2010
- Provides 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE networks
Telkom Kenya
- State-owned telecom provider
- Third largest operator with over 4 million mobile subscribers
- Also operates extensive fixed line infrastructure
- Provides 3G and 4G services
All mobile numbers in Kenya begin with 07 and are reachable via the 254 code from abroad. The major providers compete on pricing, network coverage and mobile money services.
Area Codes
Kenya has several area codes that must be dialed after the 254 country code when making international calls:
| Area | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Nairobi | 20 |
| Mombasa | 41 |
| Kisumu | 57 |
| Nakuru | 51 |
| Eldoret | 53 |
| Nyeri | 61 |
| Kakamega | 56 |
When calling internationally, the leading 0 is dropped from the area code. However, when dialing locally within Kenya, the full area code with the 0 must be used.
Conclusion
The 254 country code uniquely identifies Kenya within the global telephone network. It enables direct dialing into Kenya from other countries worldwide. Using the code along with the local area code allows calls to be routed efficiently to any phone number in Kenya, including the major mobile networks and fixed line operators.
Kenya was allocated the 254 code as it established an independent telecom infrastructure after gaining independence in the 1960s. Today, it helps unite Kenyans at home and abroad, supporting business, social, and family connections across vast distances.
So in summary, 254 is the national telephone dialing code for Kenya. It applies to the entire East African country and must be used when making calls to Kenyan phone numbers from other countries around the world.