CA Kenya: New Mobile Number Recycling Rules Enhance Protection

• The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has introduced new rules requiring telecommunications companies to notify subscribers before deactivating inactive SIM cards and recycling their mobile numbers.
• Mobile operators must initiate a three-month notification process for numbers inactive for over three months, utilizing all registered contact details.
• A public notice with a USSD facility is also mandated for numbers inactive for more than six months, allowing individuals to check their number's status.
• The new framework includes provisions for whitelisting numbers of subscribers who are seriously ill, incarcerated, or traveling for extended periods, protecting them from deactivation.
• These safeguards, formalized in the "Procedures and Technical Safeguards for Deactivation and Recycling of Inactive Mobile Numbers, 2026," follow a March 2026 Kenya High Court ruling and public concerns over arbitrary deactivation.

CA Director-General David Mugonyi emphasized that these measures are designed to prevent subscribers from inadvertently losing access to essential digital services tied to their mobile numbers.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has introduced stringent new guidelines aimed at protecting mobile subscribers from the arbitrary loss of their phone numbers. These comprehensive "Procedures and Technical Safeguards for Deactivation and Recycling of Inactive Mobile Numbers, 2026" now mandate telecommunications companies to implement a multi-stage notification process before deactivating inactive SIM cards and subsequently reassigning the associated mobile numbers. This move directly addresses growing concerns over numbers that are increasingly integral to financial services, mobile money accounts, and various online platforms.

Under the new CA Kenya mobile number recycling rules, mobile operators are now required to contact subscribers whose numbers have remained inactive for a period exceeding three months. This initial outreach must utilize all contact details provided by the subscriber during the original registration process. Following this, a mandatory three-month notification window must elapse before any inactive SIM card deactivation Kenya can occur or the number becomes eligible for recycling.

Further enhancing subscriber protection, the safeguards also stipulate that service providers must issue a generic public notice for numbers that have been inactive for over six months and are slated for deactivation and recycling. This public announcement is critical and must include a USSD facility. This facility allows any member of the public to independently verify the status of their mobile number, ensuring transparency and providing a final opportunity for subscribers to prevent their numbers from being reassigned. CA Director-General David Mugonyi emphasized that these measures are designed to prevent subscribers from inadvertently losing access to essential digital services tied to their mobile numbers.

The introduction of these revised CA Kenya mobile number recycling rules stems from a history of public grievances regarding the previous practices of deactivating and reallocating inactive mobile numbers. A notable instance involved a petition brought before the National Assembly Public Petitions Committee by Thomas Kerongo, who alleged that Safaricom had been deactivating SIM cards after six months of inactivity and then reassigning them without providing adequate notice to affected customers. Such incidents underscored the urgent need for a more structured and transparent process.

A pivotal moment leading to the current framework was a March 2026 Kenya High Court ruling. This judicial directive specifically instructed the government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to establish robust measures to prevent the arbitrary deactivation and reassignment of inactive mobile numbers. The Communications Authority of Kenya responded by developing these safeguards, which were also subjected to a period of public consultation before their finalization, ensuring a broad range of perspectives were considered.

The primary objective of these "Procedures and Technical Safeguards for Deactivation and Recycling of Inactive Mobile Numbers, 2026" is to fortify mobile money account protection Kenya and safeguard subscribers' digital identities. By mandating comprehensive notification and providing avenues for subscribers to check their status, the CA aims to mitigate the risks associated with the loss of numbers that serve as critical links to financial and personal online services.

Recognizing that certain life circumstances can prevent individuals from actively using their mobile phones for extended periods, the new CA Kenya mobile number recycling rules incorporate specific provisions for whitelisting. Subscribers, or individuals legally authorized to act on their behalf, can now formally request that their numbers be protected from deactivation if they anticipate remaining inactive for more than six months. This crucial safeguard covers situations such as serious illness, incarceration, or prolonged travel, where access to a mobile device might be impossible.

For instance, the Commissioner-General of Prisons is empowered to notify mobile service providers and request protection for the numbers of inmates serving sentences exceeding six months. Similar protections extend to individuals in remand or those who are incapacitated, provided that an authorized person can present the necessary supporting evidence. This proactive approach ensures that vulnerable populations do not lose their essential mobile connections due to circumstances beyond their control.

However, the implementation of these Kenya telco subscriber notification rules also highlighted practical challenges, particularly concerning deceased subscribers. During a committee hearing, Kuria East MP Marwa Kitayama questioned how notifications would be delivered in such cases. CA Director-General David Mugonyi acknowledged that while subscribers are required to provide comprehensive and accurate information, including alternative contacts for family members or authorized persons during SIM registration, there are instances where this information is incomplete. This underscores the ongoing importance of diligent and thorough SIM registration practices to ensure the effectiveness of these new protections.

Telecommunications companies and their compliance officers in Kenya must immediately review and update their internal procedures for SIM deactivation and number recycling to align with the CA's new notification requirements, including the 3-month notification period, public notices, and whitelisting provisions. Lawyers advising clients should be aware of these safeguards to protect subscriber interests, particularly for numbers linked to financial services or for clients unable to use their phones for extended periods.

Source: Reporting based on Kenyan news sources