The Communication Authority of Kenya is scheduled to roll out a Device Management System to combat phone theft, counter fake devices into the Kenyan market and end Sim Boxing Fraud which allows scammers to use the internet to route international calls to local mobile networks.
Responding to parliamentary committee queries, ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo revealed that the government was given a nod by the apex court to roll out the mobile phone management system.
The nod came after several previous attempts by the government which dates back to 2016 to roll out the management system were thwarted by numerous court cases by the civil societies citing violation of citizens’ rights to privacy.
Despite the nod, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah questioned the constitutionality of rolling out such a system citing that it might be used for surveillance by the government and may violate subscribers’ right to privacy as enshrined in the constitution.
In defence, Eiud Owalo reiterated that the rollout and implementation of the system will be carried out in compliance with the constitution of Kenya.
The rollout will be carried out in partnership with other stakeholders such as the National Police Service, the Mobile Network Operators, the Kenya Trade Network Agency, Kenya Bureau of Standards, and the Anti Counterfeit Agency.
Once rolled out, the agency will be in a position to curb device theft and regulate entry of substandard phones into the Kenyan market.
