It seems the announcement of sim card registration across all networks and subsequent disconnection if not registered is a bit more serious than we think. The four local mobile operators have to date switched off more than 2.4 million unregistered SIM cards.

According to statistics gathered by CCK (Communications Commission of Kenya), a total of 2,408,266 unregistered mobile lines had, by January 8, been switched off, barely a week after the expiry of the December 31 deadline.

Safaricom has disconnected a total of 1.2 million unregistered SIM cards. Orange and Airtel have disconnected 520,000 and 365,266 unregistered lines, respectively. YuMobile on the other hand has switched off 323,000 SIM cards. (See tabulation below)

According to CCK, the disconnection of unregistered SIM card is progressing well in light of the laborious process of first verifying registration data received from dealers and agents countrywide.

Those who have not registered their lines are requested to do so before their lines are disconnected. Subscribers whose lines have been switched off have up to 90 days to register their SIM cards, failing which their mobile numbers will be recalled permanently and subsequently reassigned to new users.

Operator Registered Subscribers Suspended Subscribers
  28th Dec 2012 8th Jan 2013 28th Dec 2012 8th Jan 2013
Airtel 3,877,475 4,347,765 70,830 365,266
Orange 2,106,250 2,160,873 120,010 520,000
Safaricom 17,200,000 17,290,000 800,000 1,200,000
YuMobile 2,353,106 2,440,000 290,000 323,000
Total 25,536,831 26,238,638

 

 1,280,840 2,408,266