Kenya drops mobile phone IMEI declaration requirement for tourists after public outcry

All passengers entering Kenya will no longer be required to declare their mobile phones' International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers upon arrival.

The change comes after the government policy sparked public concerns among Kenyans.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) initially announced that the new directive, aimed at combating the use of unregistered devices that bypass tax and safety regulations, would take effect on January 1, 2025.

However, after public concerns, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced that KRA has changed its tune and that tourists will not be subject to the policy.

She emphasised that the government remains committed to ensuring Kenya stays accessible to visitors.

"KRA has announced that tourists will not be required to declare their gadgets' IMEI numbers upon arrival. Kenya’s strategic location as the gateway to East Africa positions it as a regional hub for tourism and business and must therefore remain easily accessible," Miano said.

The reversal follows consultations with relevant authorities to assess the best way forward. Prior to the change, there had been discussions about placing tourists on a 'greylist' to give them a grace period to comply with the policy.

The Communications Authority's Director General, David Mugonyi, mentioned this possibility earlier during a session with the National Assembly's Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation.

Lawmakers raised concerns about potential privacy violations and data protection issues under the proposed policy.

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie had expressed concerns regarding privacy and data protection following the directive from CA.

Kiarie had questioned the potential implications of the system on citizens' privacy, pointing to existing laws and the risk of personal data being accessed under the guise of data protection.

“The issue isn’t with registering IMEIs, but what exactly are we allowing KRA to access on an individual’s phone?” Kiarie posed.

He raised concerns about the potential for citizens to avoid digital transactions for fear of increased surveillance.

"How can we reassure Kenyans that their data remains protected?” he posed.

However, Mugonyi reassured the public that the policy would not involve accessing personal data. "This engagement has nothing to do with the transactions we carry out on our phones. We want to ensure the right products are in the country, and the tax compliance aspect is strictly for that. KRA will not have access to people's data."

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