adminNAIROBI. — Agents conducting the Subscriber Identity Module cards appear to be complying with government directives to properly carry out the process.A survey by CAJ News in Nairobi established the agents were conforming to the requirements and collating all the data required from potential subscribers before they could register them on the network.
“I must ensure that I note down all the personal details before I issue a new SIM card to my client. Times have changed and you may not know when police officers have laid a trap on you to find out whether you adhere to the new registration requirements,” said King’ori Kamau, an Airtel agent in the city.
Agents have previously been blamed for registering subscribers who did not have all the documents required to complete the registration process.
It is compulsory that potential subscribers produce their identity particulars and proof of residence before they can be registered.
Another agent said mobile network operators had warned them to insist on these documents and adhere to the law.
Companies can be slapped with three-year jail terms or a fine not exceeding Sh307 000 (US$3 529) or both. The Communication Commission of Kenya plans to amend the Kenya Information and Communication Act, CAP 411 A to extend criminal liability to the agents and users/subscribers of the unregistered SIM cards.
Currently, the law only holds the mobile network service providers liable for the use of unregistered SIM cards. Recent statistics indicate that there are still over 600 000 unregistered SIM cards in use locally.
The deteriorating security situation in the country, which was abated by the use of unregistered SIM cards by criminal elements especially in kidnapping cases, informed the government’s directive to register all SIM cards.
The CCK and mobile service companies have in recently joined government in campaigns to ensure all subscribers register their cards. — CAJ News.
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