Kenyan mobile operators have started switching off 800,000 counterfeit handsets in compliance with the industry regulator’s directive to deny services to subscribers who failed to replace their fake devices by September 30th midnight.

The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) has confirmed that all four mobile operators operators have started blocking services to fake handsets, adding that the process could continue for the rest of the week.

Market leader Safaricom kicked off the process last night and has been blocking 20,000 subscribers per hour. The operator, which has the largest number of counterfeit phones on its network, is expected to switch off 670,000 subscribers.

Telkom Kenya and Essar Telecom (Yu) have also confirmed they have started switching off counterfeit handsets on their networks.

Telkom Orange has about 20,000 fake phones on its network, while Essar Telecom has about 45,000 subscribers. Indian operator Airtel Kenya is expected to switch off 100,000 subscribers.

The four mobile operators are also today expected to begin exchanging data to facilitate cross network blocking.

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek), which had earlier threatened to sue the CCK over the matter, says it will seek compensation on behalf of subscribers whose phones are switched off.

“The CCK had earlier said 2.3 million fake phones were in use, now we hear about only 800,000,” said Stephen Mutoro, secretary-general of Cofek.

“This shows lack of clarity and full disclosure. Although we reluctantly agreed to rescind our earlier decision to sue the CCK, next week, our lawyers will be ready to seek compensation from relevant organizations that slept on the job and allowed fake handsets to be sold to innocent Kenyans,” Mutoro added.

According to Mutoro, government agencies such as the Anti-Counterfeit Agency, Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Police - which ought to bar the entry of counterfeit goods into the country - have failed in their mandate.

The consumer rights body said it has not received any complaints about subscribers that have been switched off.

“It is rather curious. We have two fake phones as samples and none of them have been switched off. We have not heard any complaints either,” said Mutoro.

The CCK says the mop up of counterfeit phones could reduce health risks to users, mobile money fraud, combat terrorism and political violence.

UPDATE:

Telkom Kenya says it has so far blocked 72,000 subscribers, a figure that is much higher than it's previous statement that only 20,000 fake handsets are on its network.