The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) on Tuesday warned members of the public on the deactivation of SIM cards that did not meet the registration requirements.
A notice published on the day's dailies outlined that the authority had kicked off the process of having unregistered and partially registered cards suspended or altogether blocked.
Director-General Francis Wangusi explained that the exercise would be carried out in collaboration with the mobile network service providers.
"It has come to the attention of CA that Mobile Network Operators and subscribers are not complying with the requirements of the Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulations, 2015.
[caption caption="File image of Kenyans on phone"]
[/caption]
"The regulations require all SIM cards to be registered before activation.
"The Authority has, therefore, directed all mobile operators to suspend with immediate effect all SIM cards whose registration status is not in compliance with the SIM-Cards Regulations," the statement read in part.
According to the Regulations, the SIM-card is considered fully registered after identification documents are supplied to the chosen telco for registration.
"The Authority wishes to remind subscribers that Rule 5 (1) of the Regulations provides that a person who intends to register a SIM card shall provide the following particulars to the telecommunications operator or agent; full names, identity card, date of birth, gender, physical address, postal address, any other registered subscriber number associated with the subscriber," the notice elaborated.
The regulations also outlined that numbers to be used by minors should be registered using their birth certificates.
The notice concluded with a provision for re-activation of the mobile phone lines if the subscriber met the registration requirements.
[caption caption="File image of a person working on their phone"]
[/caption]
[caption caption="File image of a person working on their phone"][/caption]
