The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a new framework governing the administration and management of telecommunications numbering, naming, addressing and identification resources in the country.
The Authority said the enhanced framework is aimed at improving the management and use of telecommunications numbering resources by ICT service providers.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, September 9, 2026, CA Director General David Mugonyi said the new framework introduces several changes to the allocation and management of telecommunications short codes.
One of the key changes is that telecommunications short codes will now be allocated based on the services they support rather than the telecommunications operator providing them.
Under the previous framework, short codes were allocated based on specific telecommunications operators.
The Authority said the new approach is intended to make the allocation of numbering resources more flexible and aligned with the services being provided.
Another major change is that telecommunications Content Service Providers (CSPs) are now eligible to receive short codes directly from the Authority.
The CSPs will be able to obtain short codes in bulk for subsequent assignment to end users.
This is expected to change how content service providers access and manage short codes while giving them a more direct role in the numbering system.
Mugonyi clarified that the new framework will apply to new numbering assignments going forward.
He said numbering resources that were allocated under the previous framework would not be affected immediately.
“The new framework will be applicable for new assignments henceforth and will not affect numbering resources assigned under the previous framework which will continue to be in use until their logical and contractual end,” Mugonyi said.
The clarification means existing telecommunications numbering resources will continue to operate under the arrangements applicable at the time they were assigned until they reach their logical or contractual end.
The Authority has advised all ICT service providers to ensure that they manage and use assigned numbering resources in accordance with the new framework.
Service providers are expected to familiarise themselves with the updated requirements and ensure compliance when applying for or using telecommunications numbering resources.
The enhanced framework covers the administration and management of telecommunications numbering, naming, addressing and identification resources in Kenya.
The full framework is available on the Communications Authority website under the sector guidelines section.
ICT service providers and other interested parties can access the framework through the Communications Authority of Kenya sector guidelines page.
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