This comes on the back of a directive from the government, ordering mobile service providers to register all subscribers in a bid to reduce cell phone related crimes.
Speaking at an event on Monday, Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Director General Charles Njoroge said mobile operators would also be required to regularly update their subscribers’ personal details.
“This exercise is bound to enhance our general security and I would like to urge operators to make the process easy and friendly for subscribers,” Mr Njoroge said.
According to Capital FM, subscribers are now required to furnish their line operators with postal and physical addresses, date of birth and alternative telephone numbers, as well as their identity card numbers.
Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo said the ministry was fast tracking the implementation of the Data Protection Bill, currently before cabinet, to ensure the data collected can be used by the police force.
Commenting on this development, Zain Kenya Managing Director Rene Meza said: “We understand the process is very important and will therefore take time. We would like to urge the government and the CCK not to give us a cut-off date because we will have to actively engage with all stakeholders.”
Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Mickael Ghossein echoed Mr Meza’s sentiments adding SIM card registration brings with it a number of challenges.
“The main challenge for the future will be the accuracy of the data because while we register we are not sure whether the data we are given is correct,” Mr Ghossein said.
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