• Latest
  • All
  • How To
Huawei P20 Lite

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

May 22, 2018
iphone 17 air

iPhone 17 Air Battery Leak Disappoints Despite Ultra-Thin Design

May 19, 2025
Connected Africa Summit

Tupatane Diani: Kenya Gears Up for Connected Africa Summit 2025

May 19, 2025
Google I/O 2025

Google I/O 2025: Android 16, Gemini AI, and the Future of Smart Devices

May 19, 2025
Apple Event

Apple Named World’s Most Valuable Brand in 2025. AI Players Surge in Rankings

May 19, 2025
DHgate Tablet Cases deals
IR-Equipped AirPods

Listen, Don’t Touch: Apple’s IR-Equipped AirPods

May 19, 2025
BURN Secures $5 Million to Bring Clean Cooking to Kenyan Homes

BURN Secures $5 Million to Bring Clean Cooking to Kenyan Homes

May 17, 2025
Safaricom Quickmart partnership

Safaricom 4G and 5G Routers Now Available at Quickmart Stores

May 17, 2025
SEACOM tech student programs

SEACOM Brings Learning to Life for Tech Students

May 17, 2025
Safaricom 5G for Business

How Safaricom 5G is Revolutionizing Enterprise Connectivity

May 17, 2025
KEMIS

KEMIS: Kenya’s New Education Data System Set to Replace NEMIS in 2025

May 17, 2025
White Genocide

Grok AI Goes Off the Rails with Bizarre Conspiracy Responses

May 17, 2025
Google One

Google One Hits 150 Million Users, Thanks to AI Premium Plan

May 17, 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

Kennedy Kachwanya, Chairperson BAKE

High Court Issues Ban on Internet Shutdowns by Government and Mobile Operators

May 14, 2025
CA Releases Updated Import Permit Requirements

Kenyan ICT Regulator Issues Stricter Import Rules for ICT Products

March 27, 2025
Kenya's Internet Prices and global comparison

ISPs Ditch 2Mbps Plans as Customers Rush to Faster Internet

March 18, 2025
Starlink Mini launched in Kenya for satellite internet

Kenya’s Satellite Internet Surges 133% in 2024 Amid Starlink’s Rise

March 19, 2025
TikTok users in the US are receiving messages stating the app is temporarily unavailable due to a new law.

Kenya Regulator Investigates TikTok for Profiting from Sexual Content Featuring Kenyan Minors

March 14, 2025
Kenya Power Fiber Optic Network

Internet Disrupted in Nairobi as City Hall and Kenya Power Feud Intensifies

February 25, 2025

Latest

iphone 17 air

iPhone 17 Air Battery Leak Disappoints Despite Ultra-Thin Design

May 19, 2025
Connected Africa Summit

Tupatane Diani: Kenya Gears Up for Connected Africa Summit 2025

May 19, 2025
Google I/O 2025

Google I/O 2025: Android 16, Gemini AI, and the Future of Smart Devices

May 19, 2025
Apple Event

Apple Named World’s Most Valuable Brand in 2025. AI Players Surge in Rankings

May 19, 2025
IR-Equipped AirPods

Listen, Don’t Touch: Apple’s IR-Equipped AirPods

May 19, 2025
BURN Secures $5 Million to Bring Clean Cooking to Kenyan Homes

BURN Secures $5 Million to Bring Clean Cooking to Kenyan Homes

May 17, 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

iPhone 17 Air Battery Leak Disappoints Despite Ultra-Thin Design

May 19, 2025

Tupatane Diani: Kenya Gears Up for Connected Africa Summit 2025

May 19, 2025

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

Follow Us

Editorials

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

Introducing A Brainbox Quiz: Techweez’s Monthly Trivia Night!

5 Most Reliable Virtual Dollar Card Providers in Nigeria

More News

Safaricom 4G and 5G Routers Now Available at Quickmart Stores

SEACOM Brings Learning to Life for Tech Students

How Safaricom 5G is Revolutionizing Enterprise Connectivity

KEMIS: Kenya’s New Education Data System Set to Replace NEMIS in 2025

Grok AI Goes Off the Rails with Bizarre Conspiracy Responses

Google One Hits 150 Million Users, Thanks to AI Premium Plan

  • 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.
.