MPs Probe Petition Challenging telcos Over SIM Card Deactivation, Number Reassignment

The Public Petitions Committee in Kenya has received a petition challenging Safaricom PLC's compliance with regulations regarding the deactivation and reassignment of SIM cards and mobile numbers. The petitioners, Thomson Kerongo and Asiago Stephen, argue that Safaricom deactivates SIM cards after a period of inactivity, usually six months, before reallocating the mobile numbers to new users.

They express concerns about insufficient notice to subscribers before deactivation and number reassignment, which could disrupt essential services for the affected individuals. Additionally, the petition highlights a specific concern regarding deceased subscribers whose mobile numbers may be deactivated and subsequently reassigned, potentially complicating access to funds in mobile money accounts.

The petitioners note that many Kenyans rely on mobile numbers for financial transactions, including M-Pesa, and that deactivating a number after a subscriber's death can make it difficult to trace and recover associated funds. One petitioner recounted a situation where a deceased individual held funds in a mobile money account, and recovering the money after the line was deactivated proved challenging and time-consuming.

In response, Kitayama Maisori, an MP representing Kuria East, suggested the petitioner seek assistance from the Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) to trace and recover funds that may have been transferred to the unclaimed assets system. Maisori also pointed out that this issue might be discussed with relevant stakeholders during the Committee's stakeholder engagement process.

The committee will likely seek input from Safaricom, government agencies, consumer representatives, and other stakeholders before finalizing its report and recommendations for presentation to the House for debate.