CA Orders Mobile Operators to Waive SMS Opt-Out Rules for El Niño Alerts

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has ordered mobile network operators Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom, and Jamii Telecommunications to suspend SMS opt-out rules for government-approved emergency messages during the El Niño preparedness and response period, according to a directive released on October 2, 2026. This exemption aims to ensure that critical public safety information reaches Kenyan citizens promptly, as part of the National Early Warning System simulation exercise.

The mandate covers test runs and emergency alerts related to El Niño, as well as disaster preparedness advisories, and it obliges operators to deliver approved emergency SMS messages to all active subscribers, irrespective of their promotional messaging preferences or previous opt-out settings. The Authority has emphasized the priority of emergency communications and the need for technical support to facilitate both simulation exercises and real emergency response operations.

This directive aligns with Kenya's legal framework, including Articles 35, 33, and 46 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Access to Information Act of 2016, and it underscores the government’s duty to protect life, property, and national security through timely dissemination of essential information.