Gov’t to Switch Off Fake and Stolen Mobile Phones in Kenya

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced plans to develop a database for all mobile devices in the country in a move aimed at eliminating counterfeit and illegal mobile phones that have found their way into the market.

CA says the system will enable the registration of mobile devices, verification of IMEIs, and identification of counterfeit, stolen, lost, and illegal devices.

“The system shall function by analyzing data dumps received from mobile network operators (MNOs) and generate a blacklist, a white list, and a grey list,” CA said in a statement.

Those using devices whose International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) have been blacklisted by CA will be denied services by mobile network operators. To prevent counterfeit, stolen, and illegal mobile phones from entering the Kenyan market, importers will be required to submit the IMEI number of gadgets that they will be bringing in.

“The authority shall establish a system to help combat the proliferation of counterfeit and illegal ICT devices as well as curb theft of ICT devices,” reads the guidelines published by CA.

Mobile operators will be required to put in place systems in their networks that will enable them to integrate with the CA’s management system, which would be integrated with the global IMEI database.

“The MNOs shall reference the system and deny access to their communication networks any IMEI that is blacklisted under the direction of the Authority upon notification of the consumer,” CA added.