Communications Authority (CA) in the latest Kenya Gazette Notice, made it illegal to import mobile phones whose battery life is not at least eight hours long and lacks a physical manual.
The notice, which took effect on May 15 will help limit the number of fake gadgets getting into the market.
Only licensed telecommunications vendors will import and distribute mobile phones which, CA says will be expected to last at least 24 hours when not in use.
Dealers will also be expected to provide a one-year warranty and after-sales support for at least two years for every gadget sold.
“Test reports submitted in the Type Approval process as evidence of conformance to these guidelines shall be from a test laboratory accredited under the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC),” CA said in the new guidelines.
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All cellular devices, the authority has directed will also be required to have a unique International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) assigned by GSMA.
The unique code will be printed on the device, with indelible ink.
“In addition, the IMEI shall be retrievable electronically by dialing *#06#,” the guidelines read.
The government has been battling counterfeits coming into the country through grey markets and illegal channels, costing consumers and the government millions annually.
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