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The regulator noted counterfeit handsets are hazardous and pose risks to Kenyans/XINHUA

Kenya

Kenya’s fake phone dealers face uncertain future

In his shop, Ngeru displays a variety of low-cost mobile phones and related gadgets that include chargers, mobile phone skins and covers and batteries.”Most of the mobile phones I sell now are obsolete because of the impending switch-off.

Since they announced that they are going to switch off fake cell phones, business has taken a downward turn, ” he said.

The trader recounted customers came to his shop and demanded to know whether the phone they buy will be usable after Sept. 30. “Some ask me to follow a procedure given out by CCK to find out if a mobile phone has IMEI numbers. I have done that for several customers and despite finding out that some of the phones have the number, they do not believe they are genuine,” he said.

Vincent Nasor, who runs a shop adjacent to Ngeru, noted the move to switch off fake handsets in the east African nation only favours big mobile phone manufacturers.

“People are now going for phones from big companies because they believe they are the only handsets, which are genuine,” he said. Ngeru and Nasor estimated they are going to lose $3,571 and $2,900 respectively in terms of stock by the end of this month. “This is money that we had invested in buying the mobile phones. Some of it was a loan and we have to repay,” Nasor said, adding that he is considering quitting the phone business all together.

And as they sell the phones considered fake, the traders are risking serving time in jail since according to Kenya’s laws, a person found with the handsets will pay a fine three times the value of the confiscated products or serve a five-year jail term or both.

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