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Up to 40 per cent of phones in Kenya are fake - CA report

Stolen mobile phones recovered during a past DCI operation. (Photo: DCI)

By Ibrahim Omar | Thursday, February 8, 2024

These knockoffs are often cheaper than genuine phones which makes them especially attractive to cost-conscious buyers.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has estimated that up to 40 per cent of the mobile phones that are currently being used by Kenyans are fake.

This means that as many as four out of every 10 mobile phones in the country are counterfeits.

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“It is estimated that 30 per cent to 40 per cent of mobile phones in the country are counterfeit. Their lower prices make them more attractive to consumers with lower income,” said CA in a report.

According to the Authority, some 64.67 million mobile phones were being used in Kenya by September 2023. This means that in its estimations, between 19.4 million and 25.68 million phones that are being used in the country right now are fake.

The Authority said that counterfeit mobile phones are a significant problem in Kenya, with a large number of fake phones having flooded the market in recent years.

Fake mobile phones are phones that steal the design and trademarks of genuine handset manufacturers to deceive buyers.

These knockoffs are often cheaper than genuine phones which makes them especially attractive to cost-conscious buyers, but they often lack some functionalities and features of genuine ones.

“The proliferation of counterfeit phones in the country can be attributed to factors such as the high cost of genuine phones, weak enforcement of intellectual property laws, and a lack of awareness among consumers,” said CA.

Informal channels

It said that these counterfeit mobile phones are often distributed through informal channels such as street vendors, online marketplaces, and unlicensed retailers, adding that these channels are difficult to monitor.

The Authority warned customers that counterfeit phones pose risks that buyers may not be aware of.

“Kenyan consumers are unaware of the risks associated with counterfeit mobile phones such as the potential health risks they may be exposed to harmful radiation and electromagnetic emissions,” said CA.

As a result of the increasing menace of fake phones, the Authority wants to establish an online platform where customers can check if their mobile phones are genuine or fake.

The platform will connect to the GSMA (Groupe Speciale Mobile Association) global device database that keeps details of thousands of authentic mobile phone models, their manufacturers and phone characteristics.

“The platform would allow consumers to check the authenticity of their phones using the phone's unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number regardless of their location or financial status,” said the Authority.