Samsung bets on connected living to win over Kenyan homes

As Samsung rolls out its Connected Living Experience in Kenya, Sam Odhiambo, Head of Consumer Electronics Business at Samsung Kenya, explains how SmartThings, AI-powered appliances and energy monitoring are being positioned as practical tools for everyday households rather than luxury upgrades.

For most Kenyan households, the television, fridge, washing machine and smartphone have always lived separate lives, each bought, used and managed on its own. Samsung wants to change that.

Through its Connected Living Experience, the electronics maker is inviting consumers to see first-hand how compatible devices can work together through SmartThings, its connected-home platform, which lets users monitor appliances, adjust settings remotely and set up routines from a single app on their phone.

The pitch is grounded in everyday concerns. With electricity costs top of mind for many families, Samsung is putting energy visibility at the centre of the conversation, alongside AI features such as AI Wash and AI Energy Mode that aim to cut down on manual decision-making around the home.

Odhiambo is equally clear about the barriers. Smart-home technology is still widely seen as complicated and expensive, and he argues that connected living does not require replacing every appliance at once, but can be built gradually, device by device, at a pace that suits each household’s budget.

In this interview, he speaks to TechTrends about the thinking behind the initiative, what AI really brings to home appliances, how households can manage energy consumption more intelligently, and why after-sales support matters as much as innovation in winning consumer confidence.

Samsung has introduced its Connected Living Experience in Kenya. What is the idea behind this initiative?

The idea is to demonstrate how technology can work together to make everyday life easier, rather than having consumers think about each device as a separate purchase. We have televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and mobile devices that serve different purposes, but when compatible products connect through SmartThings, the experience becomes much more integrated.

Through Connected Living, we are giving consumers an opportunity to see what this looks like in practice. They can explore different areas of a home, understand how the devices communicate and experience how connectivity can simplify everyday routines. Ultimately, our focus is on making technology more useful, intuitive and relevant to the way people live.

What exactly is SmartThings, and how does it work?

SmartThings is Samsung’s connected-home platform that allows users to manage compatible devices through one application on their smartphone. Instead of switching between different controls for different appliances, users can bring supported devices together and manage them from a central point.

For example, depending on the products and features available, a consumer can monitor a connected appliance, adjust certain settings remotely or create routines that allow devices to work together. The platform also supports compatible products from other manufacturers, helping consumers build a connected home around their needs.

What matters is that the technology should feel straightforward. Consumers should not need to be technology experts to appreciate the convenience of having their devices work together.

How does connected living translate into practical benefits for Kenyan households?

For Kenyan households, connected living has to deliver practical value. It could mean having greater visibility into how much energy an appliance consumes, checking the status of a connected device while away from home, or simplifying household tasks through intelligent appliance features.

Energy management is particularly relevant because households are conscious of their electricity costs. SmartThings Energy, on compatible devices, can help users monitor consumption and understand their usage patterns. That information can support more informed decisions about how and when they use their appliances.

There is also the benefit of convenience. When people are balancing work, family and other responsibilities, technology that helps reduce unnecessary steps and makes household routines easier can make a meaningful difference.

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly prominent in consumer electronics. How is Samsung applying AI to home appliances?

We see AI as a way of making appliances more responsive to the user’s needs, rather than simply adding technology for its own sake. In compatible Samsung appliances, AI-powered features can help optimise certain functions and reduce the amount of manual decision-making required.

For example, Samsung’s AI Wash technology uses information about the laundry load and its level of soiling to help determine appropriate washing conditions and detergent use. SmartThings also supports features that provide insights into appliance performance and energy consumption.

These capabilities demonstrate how AI can move beyond the smartphone and become part of the wider home experience. Our focus is on practical applications that help consumers manage their homes more efficiently and conveniently.

Energy efficiency is an important consideration for consumers. How does Samsung help households manage energy consumption?

Energy efficiency is an important part of how we approach home appliances. We are developing technologies that help consumers use their appliances more intelligently, while giving them greater visibility into their consumption.

Through SmartThings Energy, users with compatible devices can track energy usage over different periods and identify consumption patterns. AI Energy Mode, where supported, can also help reduce energy use in certain operating conditions.

The benefit is not simply having an appliance that performs a task. It is helping consumers understand how they use that appliance and where adjustments may be possible. Actual savings depend on the device, settings, usage habits and household conditions, so we encourage consumers to explore the features available on the specific models they own.

Does a consumer need to replace all their existing appliances to enjoy connected living?

No. We recognize that consumers have different needs, budgets and stages of adoption. Connected living does not have to mean upgrading every device in the home at once.

The starting point is understanding which devices a consumer already owns and which are compatible with SmartThings. From there, they can identify the features that would be most useful and gradually expand their connected ecosystem as their needs evolve.

Compatibility is important because not every product supports every SmartThings feature. We therefore encourage consumers to check the specifications of individual devices before purchasing. Our broader objective is to make the connected-home experience accessible and understandable, while allowing people to adopt the technology at their own pace.

Some consumers may find smart-home technology complicated or expensive. How is Samsung addressing that concern?

One of the reasons we are taking this experience directly to consumers is to make the technology easier to understand. Reading about a connected home is one thing; seeing how it works and trying the features yourself is another.

We want consumers to understand the benefits before making a purchasing decision. They can see how devices connect, ask questions about compatibility and identify which features are relevant to their households.

We also recognise that consumers have different purchasing priorities. Our role is to demonstrate the value of the technology and help people make informed decisions based on their needs. Connected living should not be presented as something that every household must adopt all at once. It is an experience that consumers can build over time.

How important is after-sales support when introducing connected appliances and smart-home technology?

After-sales support is essential because the customer experience does not end when a product is purchased. Consumers need confidence that they can access guidance, maintenance and authorised repair services when required.

This becomes particularly important with connected products, where customers may need assistance with setup, device registration, software updates or understanding specific features. We want people to feel confident using the technology, not intimidated by it.

At Samsung, product innovation and customer support must work together. We encourage customers to familiarise themselves with their product manuals, compatibility requirements and available support channels so that they can get the best possible experience from their devices.

What would you like consumers to take away from this experience?

I would like consumers to leave with a clearer understanding of what connected living means for them personally. It is not simply about owning more devices or having the latest technology. It is about making the technology they use every day work better together.

Whether that means simplifying laundry, managing energy consumption, enhancing entertainment or gaining greater control over compatible appliances, the value lies in the experience.

We invite consumers to explore the possibilities, ask questions and see how connected technology could fit into their own homes. At Samsung, we want to keep creating experiences that make innovation tangible and show how technology can contribute to more convenient everyday living.

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