Kenyans who do not register their SIM cards with their respective telecommunication service providers by April 15 will face a financial penalty, according to the Communications Authority (CA).
CA Director General Ezra Chiloba defended the proposal to punish users who do not register their SIM cards, claiming that registration is meant at combating cybercrime and fraud in the digital arena.
The authorities has stated that the restrictions would be applied, adding that anybody found in possession of unregistered SIM cards will face fines of up to Ksh300,000 or a six-month jail sentence, or both.
This directive has caused storm and uproar among Kenyans on social questioning why someone has to register a registered SIM card.
A Kenyan on twitter identified as Anne Mbugua asked Safaricom on what would happen to someone who would not have registered before deadline yet he/she has Mshwari loan.
“Dear @Safaricom_Care if I don’t meet the re-registering deadline and you disconnect my line, what happens to my mshwari loan?”
Safaricom responded,”Jambo Anne kindly note that your details would still be forwarded to CRB due to lack of loan payment.”
This led to a heated debate among tweeps who came out to question Safaricom.
Popular blogger Abraham Mutai wondered why Safaricom can’t use the details they already have register her directly.
“Alas! You@Safaricom_Care already have her details! Fantastic. Then why don’t you use those details to register her directly from your system?” @ItsMutai
Another Kenyan asked: “Which details are u forwarding to CRB? Use the same for now” – @weldonkheter
Here are other hilarious reactions from KOT
“@Safaricom_Care You have my ID number and all names as registered last time you had threatened to do the same! You have my Mpesa details! What else do you need from me?” – @JasKenyan
“@SafaricomPLC When I bought my SIM card in a tin just after independence, Safaricom made me fill in a very detailed application form and charged me KES. 2,500. They took a copy of my ID. Years later, Safaricom introduced M-Pesa and took my details again. Dear, did you lose them?” – @fndaga
“@Safaricom_Care why are we re-registering in the first place. Personally I haven’t been educated/informed on why this is necessary to do.”- @LawrenceWrites
“Niko na Fuliza ya 23K, so safaricom wakifunga sim card hiyo itakua the greatest win for me this year” @GreatNairobian
