How pay-as-you-use internet could change Kenyans’ daily habits
By Valerian Khakayi, August 14, 2026Imagine opening TikTok and thinking twice before scrolling, switching Netflix from HD to a lower quality or ending a long WhatsApp video call because every megabyte could affect your internet bill.
That could become a reality for Kenyan internet users if a proposed change to the country’s communications law introduces consumption-based internet billing.
The proposal is contained in the Kenya Information and Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is currently being considered by Parliament. The proposed model would require internet services to be billed based on consumption, potentially changing how households and individuals use the internet.
While the debate has largely focused on costs, internet providers have warned that implementing such a system could require expensive billing and monitoring infrastructure, with the additional costs potentially passed on to consumers. There are also concerns about the future of unlimited and speed-based packages.
But beyond the policy debate, a pay-as-you-use model could change some of the everyday digital habits Kenyans have developed.
Here are some habits that could be affected if the new internet billing model is adapted.
- Hotspot sharing
The casual Kenyan habit of asking, “Nihotspot kidogo”, could also change.
People may become more cautious about sharing their connection if they are directly paying according to how much data is consumed.
- TikTok and Instagram scrolling
For many users, opening TikTok or Instagram is a routine part of the day. Under a consumption-based system, endless scrolling through videos could become something users monitor more carefully.
Instead of spending hours watching short videos, some could choose to limit their screen time or rely on Wi-Fi.
- Working and studying online
For people working or studying from home, the change could have an even bigger impact.
Video meetings, cloud services, online classes and large file transfers could all contribute to data consumption. Providers have specifically warned that consumption-based billing could affect households, businesses and schools that depend on predictable monthly internet costs.
- Netflix and YouTube
Streaming could also become more deliberate.
A movie night or several hours of YouTube videos can consume significant amounts of data. Kenyans could increasingly download content while connected to cheaper Wi-Fi, reduce video quality or choose shorter programmes to control their usage.
- WhatsApp calls
Long video calls with friends, relatives or partners could also become less casual.
Users who currently spend hours on WhatsApp video calls could opt for voice calls or ordinary text messages when trying to reduce data consumption.
- Automatic updates
Phone and computer users may also start paying closer attention to background activity.
Automatic app updates, cloud backups and downloads that currently happen without much thought could become settings people regularly check to avoid unnecessary data consumption.
New internet billing rules
For now, however, the proposed system is still under consideration. Parliament is reviewing submissions from stakeholders before making recommendations on the Bill, meaning the final rules could change.
If the proposal becomes law in its current form, however, the biggest change may not simply be how Kenyans pay for the internet but how they use it.