{
  "id": 3553966,
  "title": "MPs seek investigation into Safaricom SIM deactivation and number reassignment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/mps-seek-investigation-into-safaricom-sim-deactivation-and-number",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-26T17:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/mps-demand-safaricom-answers-over-sim-deactivation-and-number-recycling/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Members of Parliament (MPs) have called for an investigation into Safaricom's practice of deactivating and reassigning dormant SIM cards, raising concerns about potential fraud, loss of funds, and unauthorized access to personal information. Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss presented a petition by Thompson Kirongo to the National Assembly, which has been referred to the Public Petitions Committee for examination. The committee will determine whether the practice complies with laws related to consumer protection, data privacy, and the management of financial assets.\n\nKirongo argued that the current system could unfairly disadvantage customers unable to use their lines due to illness, travel, or incapacitation. Deactivated numbers, especially those registered to deceased individuals, may lead to users losing access to mobile money services, financial accounts, and personal data. MPs also highlighted the potential risks associated with unclaimed funds and Safaricom's need to inform users when their stored numbers are reassigned, to prevent confusion and potential fraud.",
  "summary": "Under the current practice, SIM cards that remain unused for a specified period, ordinarily six months, can be deactivated before the number is eventually assigned to another subscriber.",
  "key_points": [
    "MPs demand investigation into Safaricom SIM deactivation practices.",
    "Concerns raised over potential fraud, lost funds, unauthorized access.",
    "Committee to assess compliance with consumer protection and data privacy laws."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}