Kenya steps up fight against low-quality phones with new regulations

The Communications Authority of Kenya has introduced stricter requirements for mobile phones, mandating that all devices must pass safety, radiation, and performance tests before they can be sold or used in the country.

Director General David Mugonyi announced the new guidelines, stating they will be used to vet all mobile cellular devices during the approval process before they reach consumers.

The move aims to block low-quality and uncertified devices, improve network performance, and protect consumers from unsafe phones.

“The Authority has developed technical specifications for use during the type approval process for mobile cellular devices meant for sale and use in Kenya,” CA stated in a notice dated March 24, 2026.

Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, David Mugonyi

What the new standards for phones require

All phones must pass safety, interference, radiation, and environmental impact checks. The Authority standardises telecommunications services and equipment to improve consumer service and experience.

“Through the type approval of ICT equipment, the Authority checks the safety, electromagnetic compatibility, radiation, and environmental concerns,” CA said.

These requirements aim to boost network performance and cut down on connection problems caused by low-quality devices. The regulator previously warned that uncertified devices can lead to issues like network disruption, security weaknesses, and shorter device lifespans.

Also read: Court bars Kenyan telcos from recycling phone numbers without owners’ consent 

The new rules were implemented after the Communications Authority (CA) expressed worries about unapproved phones being sold. On February 10, 2026, the CA released a list of 21 phone brands that didn’t meet their standards and cautioned people not to purchase them.

The banned brands represent phones already circulating in Kenya that failed safety, radiation, or performance tests. The new standards aim to prevent such devices from entering the market in the first place.

Refurbished Smartphones

What this indicates for phone buyers and Kenya’s mobile market

Kenyans purchasing mobile phones now face stricter verification requirements. The Authority says buyers should only deal with licensed sellers and confirm that a device has been approved before making a purchase.

Details of compliant devices and authorised vendors can be found on the CA website under the type approval section. This means buyers should check the CA website before purchasing any phone to ensure it meets the new standards.

For sellers and importers, the new requirements add another layer of compliance before devices can enter the Kenyan market. Every phone model must now go through CA’s approval process, which tests for safety, electromagnetic compatibility, radiation levels, and environmental impact.

Vendors caught selling non-approved devices face penalties, though CA has not specified what enforcement measures will be applied.

Kenya’s mobile phone market has been flooded with cheap, uncertified devices in recent years, many imported from China and other Asian markets.

While these phones offer affordability, they often come with hidden costs: poor network performance, security vulnerabilities, shorter lifespans, and potential health risks from excessive radiation.

The new standards could drive up phone prices in the short term as low-quality brands are pushed out and vendors adjust to compliance costs.

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