• Latest
  • All
  • How To
Huawei P20 Lite

New Kenya Government Rules Require Devices to Allow Installation of “Additional Software” (UPDATED)

May 22, 2018
Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025
DHgate Tablet Cases deals
galaxy z fold7-galaxy z flip7-samsung

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

July 10, 2025
GTA VI

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

July 10, 2025
Former X CEO, Linda Yaccarino

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

July 9, 2025
Apple-WWDC25-iOS-26

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

July 9, 2025
Official document handover by Bernard Mwonyonyo and Habib Lukaya from Roam.

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

July 9, 2025
Samsung

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

July 9, 2025
tecno ultimate g fold concept

TECNO Joins Tri-Fold Race With Ultimate G Fold Concept Phone

July 10, 2025
Microsoft Edge browser

Microsoft Makes Edge 40% Faster in a Bid to Lure Chrome Users

July 8, 2025
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
No Result
View All Result
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
No Result
View All Result

New Kenya Government Rules Require Devices to Allow Installation of “Additional Software” (UPDATED)

Saruni Maina by Saruni Maina
May 22, 2018
in News
Reading Time: 3 mins read
254
0
Huawei P20 Lite

Huawei P20 LiteThe Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has gazetted guidelines on features and technical specifications for mobile devices imported and distributed into the country. The notice, which is dated 15 May 2018, is aimed at curbing the influx of fake devices into the country, especially feature phones, despite previous measures put in by the government to put shackles on this menace.

The guidelines, which were gazetted through CA’s Director General, Francis Wangusi, put strict measures on the devices that can be imported into Kenya.

Three Year Aftersales Support

To start off, the authority states that all cellular devices (both smartphones and features phones) can only be imported by licensed telecommunications vendors and before the devices are distributed into the market, the vendor must provide a sample device to CA for testing and approval.

The guidelines further require that devices sold locally must have a user manual (physical or electronic) accompanying the device. The vendors are also required to provide at least one year warranty and to ensure the availability of aftersales support for a further two years period for each mobile device sold, bringing the total number of support to three years.

Fake Devices

Taking a swing at counterfeit devices that make their way into the Kenyan market, CA requires that the manufacturer’s brand or identification mark shall be printed on the mobile device in indelible ink that is readily visible and legible. Further, the authority has put a nozzle on the battery capacity of devices being sold locally, noting that any device with less than eight hours talk-time and 24 hours standby time are not allowed into the country.

Interestingly, the regulations also highlight that mobile devices being sold locally must have the capability of setting the ringtone volume to loud, vibrate and silent.

“Additional Software”

Among the list of regulations, is one point that is open to misinterpretation. Section 4.3.5, reads, “A mobile cellular device shall allow for installation of additional software and updates.”

In the age of data privacy and governments spying on their own citizens, this statement raises an eyebrow. We note that CA has not clarified what is classified as “additional software” or who is to provide this software, but they could just be simply referring to apps since those are software as well.

We, however, cannot ignore the implications of such a vague and undefined statement, hence we reached out to the authority for clarification but at the time of going to press, we were still waiting for an official response.

UPDATE (Response from CA):

“The purpose of these Guidelines is to outline to vendors the minimum features and technical specifications for phones they sell in Kenya. Once the vendor sells the phone, the control changes to the consumer. Consumers should have the flexibility of customizing their phones to take care of their special needs. So software update is to make the phone respond to consumer needs. For example, if a consumer has challenges in seeing, she/he may wish to use the SMS messaging service, which is text based, through voice by installing a text-to-voice software.”

What About the Grey Market?

One question that arises from these new regulations is whether unofficial vendors such as Avechi and other online shops who sell brands like OnePlus and Google Pixel locally will feel the heat, seeing that they do not have official manufacturer support to sell such devices in this region. It is also not clear what effect these guidelines have on an individual importing a device for personal use.

There’s the possibility of certain phones going from unique brands without local support to full-blown contrabands.

 

Tags: Communications Authority of KenyaKenya
SendShare147Tweet92
Saruni Maina

Saruni Maina

I Google Bing until it Yahoos! | Email: [email protected]

Related Posts

Mobile Data

Kenya Draws More Tourists as Mobile Data Roaming Soars

July 3, 2025
Cable TV

Kenya’s Cable TV Market Rebounds with 31.5% Growth

July 3, 2025
Kenya cyber threats 2025

Kenya Detects Over 2.5 Billion Cyber Threats in Three Months

June 30, 2025
Which ISP is best in Kenya

Kenya’s Best ISP: Faiba Claims the Crown for Fastest Internet

June 30, 2025
the process of setting up an Internet service provider (ISP) in Kenya

Airtel Rises While Safaricom Drops in Network Quality Scores

June 30, 2025
Communications Authority ranked by ITU as best in Africa ICT regulations

Media Blackout: Communications Authority Orders Halt to Live Protest Coverage

June 25, 2025

Latest

Why Can'y You Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025
Former Safaricom Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Cynthia Karuri-Kropac

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025
AI

OpenAI and Perplexity Launch Browsers to Rival Google Chrome

July 10, 2025
Vivo-Y29-4G

Vivo Y29 Launches in Kenya at KES 23,999

July 10, 2025
galaxy z fold7-galaxy z flip7-samsung

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 with Bigger Screens

July 10, 2025
GTA VI

Rockstar May Be Testing 96-Player Servers for GTA 6

July 10, 2025

Best devices

budget smartwatches 2025

Best Budget Smartwatches To Buy in Kenya 2025

February 13, 2025

Best Infinix Smartphones To Buy in Kenya 2024

February 13, 2025

Best Laptops for Battery Life in 2024

August 21, 2024

Best “Battery Warrior” Smartphones To Buy in 2024

August 22, 2024

Why You Cannot Register a Safaricom SIM Card After 7 PM

July 10, 2025

Frankline Okata Takes Over as Cynthia Karuri-Kropac Exits Safaricom PLC

July 10, 2025

Techweez is a fast growing influential source of technology news, reviews and analysis by leading tech geeks in the industry.

Follow Us

Editorials

Abductions and Arrests! Kenyan Government’s Fear and Hate of X Users Makes No Sense

Actors and Film Crews Are Worried About Veo 3 Taking Their Jobs

Samsung QLED TVs Now Officially Certified for Real Quantum Dot Technology

Trump’s Tariffs Will Be the End of Affordable Tech

5 Ways to Prep Your Tech for Resale

The Weaponization of PDFs: How Cybercriminals Are Exploiting a Trusted Format

More News

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years

iPhone Users Are Not Too Happy With the iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

E-Mobility in Kenya Gets a Lift with New Bike Financing Program

This Samsung Security Update Could Change How You Use Your Phone

TECNO Joins Tri-Fold Race With Ultimate G Fold Concept Phone

Microsoft Makes Edge 40% Faster in a Bid to Lure Chrome Users

  • Terms Of Use
  • Techweez Brand
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!

Hey there! Just a heads-up: we're big fans of cookies - both the digital and edible kind! 🍪 We use our cookies and some from third parties to ensure your browsing experience on our site is smooth sailing and secure.

 

But wait, there's more! We also use cookies to gather stats and insights on how you navigate our site. It's like getting a behind-the-scenes peek at your digital adventures!

 

Don't worry, you're in control. You can adjust your cookie settings anytime to suit your preferences. Feeling curious? Dive into our Privacy Policy for all the juicy details. Happy browsing! 🚀

Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
Techweez | Tech News, Reviews, Deals, Tips and How To
Crunchy Cookies 🍪 Ahead!
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
Listen, this legal stuff is about as exciting as watching paint dry. But it basically says we only use your stuff for what you asked us to do, and nobody else gets to peek!
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
It's those sneaky cookie crumbs websites leave behind to count visitors, like counting ants at a picnic! Totally harmless, just for fun facts. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
Hey there! Just letting you know we use some fancy gizmos to remember your preferences. This way, we can show you ads that are, well, not completely bananas.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Make cookies
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Editorial
  • Automotive
  • Entertainment

© 2024 Techweez - Palahala Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
A Palahala Media Group Brand. All rights reserved.
.