The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a public warning urging Kenyans to avoid buying or using mobile phones that have not been officially approved for use in the country.
In a notice released on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the regulator expressed concern over the increasing number of non-type-approved mobile devices finding their way into the Kenyan market.
The Authority emphasized that all mobile phones sold or used locally must undergo a mandatory Type Approval process before being allowed on the market.
According to CA, the approval process is designed to ensure that devices comply with both national and international standards on user safety, health protection, performance quality, and electromagnetic compatibility.
Phones that bypass these checks, the regulator warned, may pose health risks, perform poorly, or interfere with communication networks.
“Through ongoing market surveillance, the Authority has identified a surge in non-type-approved mobile phones, which present safety and health risks to users,” CA said in its notice.
The regulator named several phone brands that have not received type approval and cautioned the public against purchasing or using them.
CA further directed that vendors are prohibited from selling such devices, warning that enforcement action will be taken against any trader found in violation of the directive.
Buyers were also advised to exercise caution when shopping for phones and to avoid unlicensed dealers. CA urged consumers to only purchase devices from licensed telecommunications equipment vendors, whose details are published on the Authority’s official website.
To help consumers verify compliance, CA encouraged Kenyans to confirm that a phone has been approved by checking the Authority’s list of type-approved equipment. Alternatively, buyers can verify a device by dialing *#06# to obtain the phone’s 15-digit IMEI number and sending it via SMS to 1555 for authentication.
The advisory forms part of the government’s broader campaign to curb the circulation of counterfeit and unsafe electronic products, which continue to pose risks to consumers and national communication systems.
CA data shows that between 30 and 40 per cent of mobile phones currently in use in Kenya are counterfeit, meaning that up to four in every ten phones may be fake.
The Authority said the directive aims to reverse this trend and protect consumers from substandard and potentially dangerous devices.
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