Chiloba discusses why Kenyans need to update their SIM cards.

According to Communications Authority Director General Ezra Chiloba, the continuing Sim Card registration is not a new phenomenon in the nation.

Chiloba said to the media on Sunday that the procedure is neither a re-registration or new registration operation.

“It provides a chance for operators and their consumers to confirm registration data. The effort will address the growing number of documentation gaps “Chiloba stated his case.

The DG said that the necessity to update subscriber registration data is done largely to safeguard telecommunications service users – that is, you and me.

“Sim-boxing, financial fraud, abduction, terrorism, and other crimes are common in instances where sim card registration procedures have been exploited. How can we win the campaign against such crimes if we are unable to contribute by maintaining up-to-date records?”

Chiloba went on to say that operators and subscribers must work together to guarantee that all legal criteria for Sim Card registration are met.

“This is advantageous for both operators and subscribers. As a consequence, the exercise will be extended until April 15, 2022.”

He said that the authority would give more information to Kenyans based on the results of the exercise.

Kenyans have been instructed to check the status of their sim cards using the USSD number 106, which will be used by all operators for verification.

Furthermore, he said that the laws do not compel subscribers to provide images of themselves during the registration or verification process.

“However, records of subscribers must contain identifying papers such as National ID cards, service cards for disciplined forces, passports, and birth certificates, where appropriate.”

Chiloba has also said that this is neither a re-registration or new registration process.

“It provides a chance for operators and their consumers to confirm registration data. The activity will fill the documentation gaps that have become all too typical.”

He went on to say that operators and subscribers must work together to guarantee complete compliance with the legal criteria for Sim Card registration, and that the action benefits both operators and customers.

The Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of SIM cards) Regulations, according to the DG, were gazetted on August 14, 2015.

Chiloba also requested that telecommunications companies prohibit hawkers from selling SIM cards to Kenyans.