---
title: Connect a Kenyan Number to Retell AI with Custom Telephony
description: >-
  Use a Sautikit Kenyan number with a Retell AI agent: import it with
  sip.sautikit.com as the termination URI and forward inbound calls to
  sip.retellai.com.
summary: >-
  Import your Sautikit number into Retell with termination URI
  sip.sautikit.com:5080 over UDP and your SIP credentials, then forward the
  number to sip.retellai.com.
date: 2026-11-05T00:00:00.000Z
type: guide
---


## Summary

A Retell AI agent can answer and place calls on a Kenyan Sautikit number using Retell's custom telephony. Import your number into Retell with termination URI `sip.sautikit.com:5080;transport=udp` and your number's SIP username and password, then forward the Sautikit number to `+2547XXXXXXXX@sip.retellai.com`. The number costs KES 500 a month, inbound calls are free on Sautikit and outbound calls cost KES 3.00 a minute billed per second. Retell lists no charge for custom telephony; it bills its own agent minutes.

## What you need

- **A Sautikit number** (KES 500 a month) and a SIP credential for it: open the number in the [console](https://app.sautikit.com), go to **SIP & Devices**, click **+ Add device**, label it "Retell" and keep the username and password.
- **A Retell account** with an agent ready to take calls.
- **Your number in E.164 format**, for example `+254709000000`.

## Step 1: import the number into Retell

In the Retell dashboard, open **Phone Numbers**, choose to connect a number through SIP trunking (custom telephony), and fill in:

| Retell field | Value |
|---|---|
| Phone number | `+254709000000` (your Sautikit number) |
| Termination URI | `sip.sautikit.com:5080;transport=udp` |
| SIP trunk user name | your Sautikit SIP username |
| SIP trunk password | your Sautikit SIP password |
| Codecs | PCMU and PCMA |

The `transport` parameter in the URI takes precedence over the transport dropdown in Retell, so UDP is used even if TCP is preselected. Assign your agent to the number for inbound and outbound calls.

## Step 2: forward inbound calls to Retell

In the Sautikit console, open the number and set **Forward** to:

```text
+254709000000@sip.retellai.com
```

No `sip:` prefix. Save. Retell matches the number before the `@` to the number you imported. If your Retell account restricts inbound traffic to known IPs, allow the address `sip.sautikit.com` resolves to (`62.12.113.167` as of November 2026; check with `dig +short sip.sautikit.com`).

The forward can also be set with the API through the number's `forward.destinations` ([Forward calls and voicemail](/developers/guides/forward-calls-and-voicemail)).

## Step 3: place an outbound call

Create a phone call from Retell using your imported number as `from_number` and a Kenyan destination in E.164 format as `to_number`:

```js
await fetch("https://api.retellai.com/v2/create-phone-call", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.RETELL_API_KEY}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    from_number: "+254709000000",
    to_number: "+254711000000",
  }),
});
```

Retell sends the call to `sip.sautikit.com:5080`, authenticates with your SIP credentials, and the customer sees your Sautikit number.

## Step 4: test

1. Call your Sautikit number from a mobile. The Retell agent should answer.
2. Place a Retell call to your mobile. It should show the Sautikit number.

## Troubleshooting

**Inbound calls do not reach the agent.** Check the forward destination uses the same number format you imported, including `+254`.

**Outbound calls fail.** Check the termination URI includes `:5080` and `;transport=udp`, the username and password match **SIP setup** on the device row, the destination is E.164, and the wallet has credit.

**No audio.** Keep PCMU and PCMA enabled and leave media encryption off.

## A single-platform option

Sautikit [AI agents](/ai-agents) answer your number without a second platform: KES 4.00 a minute, metered per second, on top of the call rate. See [Sautikit vs Vapi, Retell and Bland](/compare/vapi-retell-bland).

## FAQ

### Can Retell AI use Kenyan phone numbers?

Yes. Import a Sautikit number through Retell's custom telephony. Sautikit forwards inbound calls to `sip.retellai.com` and carries outbound calls on the Kenyan network.

### What is the termination URI for Sautikit?

`sip.sautikit.com:5080;transport=udp`, authenticated with the SIP username and password from your number's SIP & Devices tab.

### Does Retell charge for SIP trunking?

Retell's pricing page lists no charge for SIP trunking or custom telephony. On Sautikit the number is KES 500 a month, inbound calls are free and outbound calls are KES 3.00 a minute billed per second.