NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 18 – A new system by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) will soon allow Kenyans to verify mobile numbers registered under their national identification documents, in a move aimed at curbing identity fraud and strengthening consumer protection in the telecommunications sector.
The regulator has floated a tender for the provision of an ID-to-SIM card checker that will enable members of the public to confirm which SIM cards are linked to their National ID or passport numbers.
Under the proposed framework, users will send their identification document number to a dedicated short code, prompting a system-wide search across all licensed mobile operators.
“The Authority intends to acquire an ID-to-SIM card checker to be used by members of the public to check which numbers may have been registered using their National Identification documents or passports without their consent or knowledge,” read the tender documents in part.
“The service will entail members of the public sending their identification Document number to a dedicated Short Code number, and the system searching all the Mobile Network Operators’ databases and returning the list of numbers associated with the sent identification Document number.”
The cloud-based solution will integrate with all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and will be accessible via SMS.
It is designed to process up to 5,000 SMS queries per minute, with built-in encryption and data masking to safeguard sensitive personal information.
A web-based graphical interface will also allow system administrators to track usage and generate statistical reports.
Clampdown on SIM misuse
The development comes amid tighter SIM registration enforcement in Kenya, where regulators have intensified their oversight to combat fraud, cybercrime, and identity theft.
In recent years, operators including Safaricom, Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya have been directed to deactivate improperly registered SIM cards following audits that revealed compliance gaps in Know-Your-Customer (KYC) requirements.
Kenya currently has more than 65 million active mobile subscriptions, far exceeding the adult population, reflecting widespread multiple SIM ownership but also exposing vulnerabilities where identification details can be misused without a subscriber’s knowledge.
The new verification tool is expected to give individuals direct visibility over numbers tied to their identity documents, while reinforcing accountability among operators and enhancing trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.
