The Communications Authority of Kenya has introduced new regulations requiring telcos to wait at least six months before recycling inactive mobile numbers, following a court ruling protecting registered numbers as digital identifiers.

• A number can only be flagged for recycling after three months of no revenue-generating activity.
• The Communications Authority of Kenya is accepting public comments on the draft until September 11.
• The proposed rules, effective September 19, 2026, also whitelist numbers of incarcerated individuals and those otherwise indisposed.