How To Check If Your Mobile Phone Is Authentic Via IMEI: CA

The Communications Authority in Kenya (CA) has revealed that Kenyans owning mobile phones can verify the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number for those devices through SMS and a short Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code.

This move is part of a broader effort to combat counterfeit devices that can pose security risks and undermine the integrity of telecommunications services in the country.

The methods afford mobile phone users the chance to check the authenticity of their devices from anywhere they may be in the country. Here are the two ways to verify if the phone you are using is fake or legit:

Step 1: Dial *#06#

You will receive an IMEI number, which is a 15-digit code that uniquely identifies a mobile device on cellular networks. If your handset has two SIM lines, you will receive two IMEI numbers, you can use either the first or the second.

The IMEI is a unique 15-digit number assigned to every mobile phone. It acts as a digital fingerprint, providing crucial information about the device.

Step 2: Send the IMEI digit to SMS short code 1555

You will have to wait for a response. You’ll receive an SMS from the CA containing details about the phone, including the make and model.

This initiative comes after the Authority on October issued a notice directing all mobile phone importers to submit details of imported devices, including the IMEI numbers, from January 1, 2025.

However, the High Court issued and extended conservatory orders on December 18, 2024, which handed both the CA and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) a big blow in their push to have phone dealers declare their IMEI numbers for new devices to ensure tax compliance.

The orders which were issued on November 22, 2024, against the directive by KRA and the CA are currently extended to February 2025.

Justice Chacha Mwita on Wednesday, December 18 ordered that the suspension of the implementation of the Public Notices requiring the disclosure of mobile phone's IMEI numbers remain until February next year when the case will be heard.

This is pending the hearing and determination of a case filed by the Katiba Institute which had filed a petition at the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the order by the CA calling for the mandatory registration of phones. 

Katiba Institute argued that the move by the CA requiring all individuals to register their IMEI numbers was unjustified, adding that the directive would infringe on the data privacy of mobile phone users.

"Upon the registration of phones, IMEI numbers constitute personal data and, when read in combination with specific data held by mobile service providers, can identify a person’s susceptible information, including location and communication history," the lobby group contested.

"In addition, the newly introduced practice of ‘whitelisting’ of devices means that only a device with its IMEI registered on the CAK/KRA databases can connect to mobile networks. Thus, anyone not registering their IMEI cannot buy a SIM card from a Kenyan mobile network provider."

Under the new directives, all passengers entering Kenya were to be required to declare their mobile devices on the F88 passenger declaration form and provide the necessary details and IMEI numbers for devices intended for use during their stay. However, intervention by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano forced KRA to reconsider the policy targeting tourists entering Kenya.