Tigania MP urges Safaricom to notify customers before reassigning old phone numbers
Tigania West MP John Kanyuithia Mutunga has called on Safaricom to notify customers before reassigned mobile phone numbers are issued to new users, raising concerns about confusion and privacy when inactive lines change hands. Mutunga told Parliament on Wednesday, August 20, 2026, that customers can lose access to their lines after losing a phone, misplacing […]
Tigania West MP John Kanyuithia Mutunga has urged Safaricom to inform customers before reassigning old mobile phone numbers to new users. Speaking to Parliament on Wednesday, August 20, 2026, Mutunga expressed concerns about potential confusion and privacy issues arising from inactive lines being reassigned without notice. He pointed out that customers could lose access to their numbers due to lost phones, misplaced SIM cards, or extended periods of inactivity.
Mutunga suggested that mobile operators should implement a notification system to alert previous users prior to number reassignment. He emphasized that this would prevent the mistaken assumption that individuals had changed their contacts or disappeared. The issue could prove particularly challenging for public figures whose constituents and colleagues might still attempt to contact them using the old number.
Mutunga's comments followed Safaricom's recent introduction of new mobile number prefixes, including 0118, 0119, 0140, 0141, 0142, 0143, 0180, 0181, and 0182. However, his primary concern pertains to the reassignment of previously used numbers rather than the new prefixes. Mutunga also questioned the affordability of Safaricom's data bundles, citing instances where customers found themselves needing to purchase additional bundles after using only a small portion of their allocated data.
He questioned the fairness of Kenyans spending significant amounts, such as 100 shillings, for a single message. Mutunga argued that the high costs warranted closer examination and urged Parliament to investigate complaints from customers who experienced rapid depletion of their bundles. Despite not alleging any unlawful actions by Safaricom, Mutunga called for improved notification practices and addressed broader concerns surrounding the cost of mobile services in Kenya.
Mobile communication, mobile money, and digital transactions heavily rely on mobile services, making Mutunga's concerns particularly relevant.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
