DSTV sent texts to customers today informing them that their packages will more from October 1st 2015. The premium package for instance will cost Ksh. 9,400 from the current price of Ksh. 8,200. They blame the increase on currency depreciation. Their reason is familiar and for a long time they used to price their services in dollars which meant that the money payable kept changing every month depending on the dollar-shilling rate. It is unclear why they pass on foreign exchange loss burden to customers.
The table below shows the new prices for all the packages effective October 1st 2015.
DSTV Kenya new and old price comparison |
|||
| Packages | New Price | Old Price | Difference |
| Ksh. | Kshs. | Ksh. | |
| Premium | 9,400 | 8,200 | 1,200 |
| Compact Plus | 6,400 | 5,550 | 850 |
| Compact | 3,750 | 3,250 | 500 |
| Family | 2,150 | 1,890 | 260 |
| Access | 1,050 | 930 | 120 |
The news of the price increase did not augur well with Kenyans especially coming at the back of another price increase that DSTV effected earlier in the year.
Someone else should win EPL rights so that I can ditch @DStv_Kenya bila remorse and never look back. Currency depreciation my foot.
— CN ® (@crazynairobian) September 2, 2015
I’m also looking for an alternative to @DSTV_Kenya 9,400/- per month. I love live football but affording it is another story! DSTV Kwaheri! — Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) September 2, 2015
Hi @DStv_Kenya please explain what is this if it’s not stealing from us in broad daylight pic.twitter.com/6Nh2xC23iL
— …. (@AmDudePe_) September 2, 2015
@DStv_Kenya woooii mnatumaliza sasa… Just found this on my phone. Please please DSTV do something. pic.twitter.com/z72ebkbkwT — John Johny Gitau™ (@PabloJohny) September 2, 2015
DSTV Kenya’s subscription fees since 2012. pic.twitter.com/pwvYI01ku7
— Mugambi M’Mutegi (@PeterMutegi) September 2, 2015
Well, @DStv charges R699 (KSh 5,350) for its premium package in South Africa. What makes Kenya almost twice as expensive, @DStv_Kenya?
— Wallace Kantai (@wgkantai) September 2, 2015
As Wallace noted, the prices of the same services in South Africa are much lower. Like Wallace, we are just wondering why the prices differ so much.
Here is a comparison of the Kenyan and South African package cost at current prices.
DStv’s pricing of their services in Kenya has been a sore point for customers and one customer shared an epic rant a few years back that went viral.
Update
Multichoice Africa CEO Tim Jacobs has responded to the Kenyan uproar about DStv price increase HERE.