Senators are calling for stronger data protection laws to regulate mobile phone vendors who sell phones under installment plans, commonly known as lipa polepole. The lawmakers raised concerns that some sellers are misusing customers’ personal data.
Speaking during a Senate session on Tuesday, May 13, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina claimed that some vendors are selling customer data to third parties, which poses a threat to privacy.
“We must protect people’s personal information. Poor Kenyans buying phones on credit should not have their data sold to unknown individuals,” said Senator Ledama. “Parliament needs to step in and strengthen the Data Protection Act.”
He urged telecom companies to find better ways of protecting customer data, especially during financial transactions. He also suggested limiting the number of SIM cards a person can register to reduce fraud.
“You’ll find someone using their ID to register over 20 lines, which are then used for fraud. This must be controlled,” he said.
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi also criticized the country’s data regulators, including the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), claiming they lack skilled technology experts.
“As an IT expert, I believe it’s time to review the entire Data Protection Act. There are serious gaps, and even the people running these institutions are not qualified in technology,” said Senator Osotsi.
He also warned that the CAK’s recent move to raise spectrum license fees could hurt telecom companies and damage the economy. Spectrum licenses are special permissions that allow companies to operate mobile and broadcasting services.
“At CAK, the Director-General is a journalist, and the Chairperson is a businesswoman with no tech background. We need to address the leadership and expertise in this sector,” he added.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
