The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has introduced draft rules aimed at regulating the deactivation and recycling of inactive mobile phone numbers.
The proposed safeguards are intended to protect subscribers from losing their numbers and having personal information potentially exposed when previously registered numbers are reassigned to new users.
Under the proposed rules, telecommunications companies would have to follow specific procedures before deactivating and recycling unused mobile numbers.
The CA has invited members of the public to submit their views on the draft guidelines by September 11, 2026. Submissions are expected to help shape the final rules.
The move follows a High Court ruling delivered in March 2026, which found that registered mobile phone numbers form part of a person's digital identity.
The court raised concerns that automatically reallocating inactive numbers could expose former users to privacy risks, particularly because phone numbers are often linked to mobile banking, messaging applications and other online services.
The proposed regulations are therefore designed to provide clearer safeguards for both mobile subscribers and telecommunications companies.
The CA said the guidelines will help ensure that Kenya's limited numbering resources are managed properly while also protecting the rights and personal information of subscribers.
The development could provide greater protection for Kenyans who stop using their phone numbers for extended periods but still have important accounts linked to them.
Once the public participation process is completed, the feedback received will be considered before the final safeguards are adopted.