The government has unveiled draft rules governing the deactivation and recycling of unused numbers to address challenges faced by Kenyans whose mobile numbers are deactivated or reassigned without permission.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a notice dated Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) published the draft safeguards to regulate the deactivation and recycling of inactive mobile numbers, giving Kenyans until September 11, 2026, to submit their views.

"In a bid to effectively manage the country's numbering resources, the Authority has developed draft procedural and technical safeguards for deactivation and recycling of inactive mobile numbers," CA announced.

"Members of the public are invited to submit their memoranda on the draft guidelines by September 11th, 2026. Submissions should be made via the email address: [email protected]," the Authority added.

📌 What You Need to Know

On March 19, 2026, Justice Lawrence Mugambi delivered a landmark judgment affirming that mobile phone numbers form an integral part of an individual's digital identity.

The case arose from a petition filed by an inmate who challenged the practice of reallocating SIM cards during periods of involuntary inactivity, for instance, when a person is imprisoned.

The court agreed, finding that registered mobile numbers are not merely communication tools but form part of sensitive personal data that requires adequate legal protection.

It noted that reallocating numbers could expose new users to residual information connected to services such as mobile banking, messaging applications and other online accounts.

The court further directed the Office of the Attorney General to develop comprehensive regulations governing the management of inactive mobile numbers within six months.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke