Kenya’s High Court has extended the suspension of mandatory IMEI registration requirements for mobile devices entering the country, granting a four-month delay until July 4, 2025. The ruling temporarily blocks implementation of directives from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) that would have required travelers to declare International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers for their devices. The latest development follows earlier legal challenges to the CA’s mobile device registration initiatives.
The extension comes in response to a petition filed by the Katiba Institute challenging the constitutionality of the registration policy. The advocacy group argued that collecting IMEI data could enable tracking of individuals’ locations and communications, potentially creating a mass surveillance system without adequate privacy protections. These concerns emerge as Kenya continues its broader digital identity transformation, including the recent implementation of the Maisha Namba digital ID system, which has faced its own scrutiny over privacy considerations.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued the extension order on March 21, 2025, providing additional time for stakeholders to present arguments and for the government to address privacy concerns before final judgment. Under the suspended directives, mobile device importers, assemblers, and manufacturers would have been required to submit IMEI numbers to authorities.
The CA and KRA had introduced the requirements as measures to combat tax evasion and illegal device importation. IMEI numbers, unique identifiers assigned to mobile devices, allow service providers to locate devices within approximately 100 meters and access communication records. The tracking capability has raised significant concerns given Kenya’s ongoing efforts to balance technological advancement with privacy rights, as shown in the country’s recent digital identity initiatives.
The case has drawn attention from privacy advocates and government officials as it addresses the balance between security measures and individual privacy rights. The court’s final ruling on the matter is scheduled for July 4, 2025, and will likely set an important precedent for future digital surveillance and privacy policies in Kenya.
Sources: Capital FM, Eastleigh Voice, Kenyans.co.ke, Mwakilishi
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