Listing of cell phone manufacturers banned in Kenya in 2026

On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued a public discover prohibiting the sale and use of particular cell phone manufacturers. Director Basic David Mugonyi introduced the discover to deal with client safety, nationwide safety, and technical compliance throughout Kenya’s digital ecosystem. 

Because the statutory physique created below the Kenya Data and Communications Act (KICA), Cap 411A, the Authority regulates telecommunications, cybersecurity, e-commerce, and broadcasting companies. The February 2026 directive targets an inflow of non-type-approved units recognized via ongoing market surveillance as failing to fulfill required security and technical requirements.

This ban follows a broader effort to formalise the cell gadget market, together with the 2025 integration of the Worldwide Cellular Tools Id (IMEI) database with tax compliance programs managed by the Kenya Income Authority (KRA). By flagging 21 manufacturers as hazardous and non-compliant, the Authority goals to scale back dangers linked to unsafe radiation ranges and electromagnetic interference that would have an effect on the nationwide telecommunications infrastructure. 

This text explains the well being, technical, and financial causes behind the restrictions and supplies the whole record of prohibited manufacturers, together with the official directions issued that will help you confirm authorised units and keep market compliance.

Why have been the telephones banned?

The banned units lack Kind Approval, which is required for all communication tools utilized in Kenya. This course of permits the Communications Authority to verify that units meet nationwide and worldwide security, well being, and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. Telephones that skip this course of enter the market with out verified working parameters, creating dangers for you and the nationwide community.

1. Technical integrity and electromagnetic compatibility

Most of the 21 banned manufacturers have been by no means examined below requirements set by the European Telecommunications Requirements Institute (ETSI) and the Worldwide Telecommunication Union (ITU), together with ETSI EN 301 489-1 and ETSI EN 301 908-1. With out these certifications, some units leak indicators into unauthorised frequency bands, which might trigger:

• Sign degradation and dropped calls
• Lowered knowledge throughput for authorised community customers

The Authority additionally can’t affirm whether or not these units help the International System for Cellular Communications (GSM) and Lengthy-Time period Evolution (LTE) protocols required for steady connectivity.5 Gadgets that fail to fulfill IMT-2000 and IMT-Superior radio interface applied sciences might place further pressure on native base stations and weaken ICT infrastructure stability in Kenya.

2. Public well being dangers and Particular Absorption Price

Kind approval additionally checks the Particular Absorption Price (SAR), which measures the quantity of radio frequency power absorbed by the human physique. The 21 flagged manufacturers haven’t undergone SAR testing in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, which implies publicity ranges might exceed worldwide security limits. Steady publicity to unverified radiation is a public well being concern, and the restriction helps defend customers.

3. {Hardware} security and construct high quality

Unapproved telephones typically lack security programs which were examined, akin to battery safety and thermal administration. Throughout analysis, the Authority checks whether or not units might trigger electrical fires, chemical leaks, or battery explosions. Most of the prohibited manufacturers are low-cost gray market merchandise with greater failure charges in essential parts.

4. Financial formalisation and tax compliance

The ban additionally helps tax enforcement. Since November 2024, all importers and assemblers should add gadget IMEI numbers to a central database managed by the Kenya Income Authority (KRA). Gadgets with out sort approval are sometimes smuggled models that bypass the Nationwide Grasp Database of tax-compliant units. Proscribing the 21 manufacturers helps shut income gaps and ensures solely tax-compliant units hook up with Kenyan networks.

Listing of cell phone manufacturers banned in Kenya

The Communications Authority recognized 21 cell phone manufacturers circulating with out the required technical certifications. These manufacturers have been flagged throughout market surveillance operations in early 2026, and their sale is now prohibited below Kenyan regulation. All listed manufacturers have been banned for a similar purpose: failure to finish the necessary Kind Approval course of, which prevented verification of their security and technical compliance.

Restricted manufacturers

1. TINSIK
2. REALFONE
3. F+
4. FONROX
5. MEZ
6. NEMOJO
7. VUE
8. BUNDY
9. QQMEE
10. U-FM
11. CHATADA
12. SUPERX
13. MOMOFLY
14. WR
15. X.ODA
16. SMBA
17. Q-SEVEN
18. UGBAD
19. FT
20. RAENO
21. SWITCH

These 21 manufacturers replicate a wider sample of low-cost units coming into Kenya via casual import channels. Many of those telephones lack correct shielding that forestalls interference with different electronics and don’t meet Particular Absorption Price (SAR) security limits designed to guard human tissue from radiofrequency heating. The ban applies to your complete model portfolio listed above. Authorities have additionally warned that any vendor promoting these units might face enforcement motion, together with fines or revocation of enterprise licenses.

What you should know

After figuring out the non-compliant manufacturers, the Communications Authority issued a public discover instructing you to take away unapproved units from the market and that will help you purchase secure telephones.

Recommendation to shoppers and distributors

You’re suggested to not purchase any of the 21 listed manufacturers, as they current security and well being dangers and will ship poor service high quality. Distributors are additionally prohibited from promoting, distributing, or stocking these non-type-approved units and should guarantee each cellphone offered is authorised for the Kenyan market.

The right way to purchase authorised telephones

To purchase authorised units safely:

• Purchase solely from licensed telecommunication tools distributors registered with the Authority.
• Verify vendor registration utilizing the official licensee register at **https://www.ca.go.ke/licensee-register**.
• Request official documentation that confirms the gadget’s origin and compliance standing.

The right way to confirm cellphone approval standing

Earlier than shopping for, examine whether or not the handset mannequin seems on the Listing of Kind Permitted Tools accessible on the Communications Authority web site. This register is up to date often and consists of units that handed technical checks for security, well being, and electromagnetic compatibility.

The right way to examine IMEI authenticity

The Worldwide Cellular Tools Id (IMEI) is a singular 15-digit quantity assigned to each cellphone. You may confirm your gadget utilizing the next steps:

• Dial *#06# to show the 15-digit IMEI.
• Ship the IMEI as an SMS to 1555 for verification.
• You can too examine on-line utilizing the IMEI checker at **https://www.ca.go.ke/imei-checker**.
• You’ll obtain an SMS with the cellphone make and mannequin related to that IMEI. If the small print don’t match your gadget, the cellphone is just not real and shouldn’t be purchased.