The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has cautioned Kenyans against buying or using mobile phones that have not been officially approved for use in the country.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, February 10, the regulator expressed concern over the increasing number of non-type-approved mobile devices entering the Kenyan market.
According to the Authority, all mobile phones sold and operated in Kenya must undergo a mandatory type-approval process to confirm that they meet national and international standards on safety, health requirements and electromagnetic compatibility.
CA warned that devices which bypass this approval process may expose users to potential health risks, poor device performance and harmful interference with communication networks.
“Through market surveillance, the Authority has noted an influx of non-type-approved mobile phones, which pose safety and health risks to users,” the regulator stated.
The Authority further advised members of the public to avoid purchasing the listed non-type-approved phone brands, adding that traders are strictly prohibited from selling such devices.
CA warned that vendors found dealing in unapproved phones will face enforcement action, while consumers were urged to exercise caution when buying mobile devices from electronics shops.
Kenyans were advised to only purchase mobile phones from licensed telecommunications equipment vendors listed on the Authority’s official website.
The regulator also encouraged buyers to confirm whether a device has been type-approved by checking the official list of approved equipment published by CA.
Alternatively, consumers can verify a phone’s authenticity by dialling *#06# to obtain the device’s 15-digit IMEI number and sending it via SMS to 1555 for verification.
The directive forms part of the government’s broader campaign to curb the sale of counterfeit and potentially unsafe products in the local market and to protect consumers from substandard goods.
According to a report by the Communications Authority, between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of mobile phones currently in use in Kenya are counterfeit — meaning up to four in every ten devices in the country may be fake.
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