CA Flags Mobile Phone Brands Kenyans Should Avoid Over Safety & Health Concerns

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has listed mobile phone brands that Kenyans should avoid due to safety and health concerns.

In a notice dated Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Authority, through its Director General, David Mugonyi, said it had detected an influx of non-type-approved mobile phones in the local market, noting that the devices pose potential safety and health risks to users.

CA explained that all mobile phones sold in Kenya are required to undergo a Type Approval process, which ensures compliance with national and international standards on safety, health, and electromagnetic compatibility.

“Through market surveillance, the Authority has noted an influx of non-type-approved mobile phones which pose a safety and health risk to users,” CA said.

Full List of Mobile Phone Brands Flagged by CA

According to the regulator, the following phone brands have not been type-approved for use in Kenya:

CA warned that vendors are strictly prohibited from selling the listed brands and urged members of the public to avoid purchasing them.

The Authority further advised Kenyans to do the following:

• Buy mobile phones only from licensed telecommunications equipment vendors on the Authority’s website at: https://www.ca.go.ke/licensee-register.
• .Verify whether a device has been type-approved by checking the list of approved equipment on the CA website at https://www.ca.go.ke/licensee-register.
• Confirm the authenticity of a phone before purchase by dialing *#06# to obtain the IMEI number and sending the 15-digit code via SMS to 1555, a service offered free of charge.

Consumers can also verify IMEI details through the Communications Authority’s official website at: https://www.ca.go.ke/ imei-checker, which is free of charge.

Also Read: CA Revokes Licenses of 29 Courier and Transport Companies [FULL LIST]

For further clarification, CA said the public can contact the Authority via 0703 042000, 0730 172000, or email typeapproval@ca.go.ke.

About the Authority

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is the agency for the communications sector in Kenya. The Authority is responsible for facilitating the development of the information and communications sectors, including broadcasting, cybersecurity, multimedia, telecommunications, electronic commerce, postal, and courier services.

This responsibility entails:

• Licensing all systems and services in the communications industry, including telecommunications, postal, courier, and broadcasting.
• Managing the country’s frequency spectrum and numbering resources.
• Facilitating the development and management of a national cybersecurity framework.
• Facilitating the development of e-commerce.
• Type approving and accepting communications equipment meant for use in the country.
• Protecting consumer rights within the communications environment.

Also Read: CA Directs Telecom Sector to Adopt New Digital Certification Standards

• Managing competition within the sector to ensure a level playing ground for all players.
• Regulating tariffs for retail and wholesale communications services.
• Managing the universal access fund to facilitate access to communications services by all in Kenya.
• Monitoring licensees’ activities to enforce compliance with the licence terms and conditions and the law.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

Photo of CA Director General David Mugonyi. PHOTO/Parliament