Unregistered SIM card users face six months imprisonment

Use of an unregistered SIM card could land you in jail for six months.

This is the warning from the Communications Authority as part of measures to clamp down on illegal use of mobile phones.

According to the regulator, all mobile users are responsible for calls, messages and financial transactions made through their mobile lines.

In a statement in the dailies, the Communications Authority stressed that all mobile users must use registered SIM cards, as they may be guilty in the even their line is used to commit a crime.

At the same time, Kenyans have been warned against buying their lines from hawkers and to also ensure that whoever sells them a SIM card captures all their details for registration.

“Failure to take these precautions may result in a criminal conviction of up to six months in prison or a fine of Sh100,000 or both,” the Communications Authority said in a statement

The regulator has at the same time discouraged helping strangers to make distress calls from their mobile phones as the user may be liable if a crime is committed through the mobile line.

“Do not allow a stranger to use your SIM card. If a stranger is in distress and requires assistance make the call yourself,” the regulator stressed.

Mobile phone users are also advised to report immediately once they lose their SIM card to the police and obtain an abstract.

SIM card registration is aimed at enhancing security.

The sector regulator’s warning comes on the back of rising concern over incidents of extortion, killings and kidnappings linked to abuse of mobile phone lines.

The authority has also introduced new regulations on multiple ownership of SIM cards, which is now limited to 10 active SIM cards per person.

The move is expected to curb the rise of mobile phone related crimes.