800,000 Unregistered SIM Cards Blocked as Safaricom Implements Government Directive

Leading Integrated Communications provider Safaricom Limited has switched off 800,000 unregistered SIM cards in a phased exercise that seeks to comply with the newly published Government regulations on mandatory SIM card registration. The first phase of the switch off was conducted on Thursday evening after the system had been updated with registrations that came in on the 31st of December 2012.

Company CEO Mr. Bob Collymore said, "We have been doing our best to update the electronic records after the last minute rush that saw a huge number of customers register their SIMs between the 31st of December 2012 and yesterday. We are refining the switch off process and it will continue into the weekend and those affected by the blocking will be unable to make calls or utilise any of our services until their SIM cards are registered."

Safaricom being the largest mobile operator has invested heavily in awareness campaigns and has so far registered over 85% of its subscriber base. Unregistered subscribers who get switched off are advised to visit Safaricom shops and authorised dealer outlets to start the process of reinstatement. 

Leading Integrated Communications provider Safaricom Limited has switched off 800,000 unregistered SIM cards in a phased exercise that seeks to comply with the newly published Government regulations on mandatory SIM card registration. The first phase of the switch off was conducted on Thursday evening after the system had been updated with registrations that came in on the 31st of December 2012.

Company CEO Mr. Bob Collymore said, "We have been doing our best to update the electronic records after the last minute rush that saw a huge number of customers register their SIMs between the 31st of December 2012 and yesterday. We are refining the switch off process and it will continue into the weekend and those affected by the blocking will be unable to make calls or utilise any of our services until their SIM cards are registered."

Safaricom being the largest mobile operator has invested heavily in awareness campaigns and has so far registered over 85% of its subscriber base. Unregistered subscribers who get switched off are advised to visit Safaricom shops and authorised dealer outlets to start the process of reinstatement.