Communications Authority sets new requirements for mobile device compliance in Kenya

By Robert Mutasi 

The Communication Authority of Kenya has issued new directives targeting the integrity and compliance with tax issues of mobile devices in the country. 

From January 1st, 2025, all stakeholders involved in the chains of mobile network operators, importers, and distributors shall ensure that these regulations are complied with. 

The directive also targets entities involved in the local assembly and connection of mobile devices to the country's networks.

This, it said in a statement recently indicating the steps to be followed for the new requirements.

"All local device assemblies are required to upload the International Mobile Equipment Identity, IMEI Number of each assembled device to the portal provided by KRA," read the notice.

The IMEI-a unique identifier put on mobile phones-will enable the government to track and ensure that all devices assembled locally are tax-compliant.

This new regulation forms a broader agenda by the government in increasing oversight within the mobile phone sector to reduce the proliferation of devices that don't comply with their standards and regulations.

It will affect businesses at each stage of the supply chain, from mobile phone manufacturers and importers to retailers themselves.

Apart from insisting that all mobile phones be assembled locally, the CA will avail tools to retailers and end-users for verifying the tax compliance status of mobile devices before purchase.

This is viewed as a critical move to cushion consumers from buying illegal or non-compliant handsets that may be disconnected from local networks.

"The Authority shall provide the means through which the tax compliance status of mobile devices can be checked prior to purchase," the CA added, reminding of the implication of compliance in being able to continually access mobile services.

The new regulations will affect devices imported or assembled in Kenya starting November 1st, 2024.

However, the CA then assured users of mobile devices that the new requirements would not affect them.

"All the existing devices that shall be on the Mobile Networks by 31st October 2024 shall not be affected," the Authority clarified, putting the minds of current users at ease that their gadgets would not go dead.

This policy aims to increase transparency and bring in more tax revenue from the sale of mobile phones for the government, besides being a plus for law-abiding businesses.

With the deadline slowly encroaching in January 2025, all stakeholders in the mobile phone sector are encouraged to conform to the new regulation.