LISTED telecoms firm Safaricom said it has registered 11.5 million SIM cards ahead of the deadline set by the government.
Safaricom’s Chief Executive Michael Joseph urged those who have not registered their SIM cards as directed by the government to do so before they are locked out.
“I know Kenyans like to rush at the last minute. I urge them to register their cards within the period given by the government,” he said.
“It will be the regulator to decide whether to give additional time for the registration when the deadline expires. I don’t know if we will extend beyond the given period. All will depend on the regulator,” he added.
Last week, Information and Communication PS Bitange Ndemo and Communication Commission of Kenya Director General Charles Njoroge at a separate function ruled out the possibility of extending the registration beyond end of this month.
The registration of SIM cards is in pursuance of a government directive last year that all SIM cards be registered, to boost national security and fight phone-related crime.
Kenya has 20 million mobile phone users and will join countries like South Africa and Tanzania in Africa in the registration of SIM cards.
BRIAN ADERO in Nairobi, Kenya
