Refugees allowed to use refugee IDs for SIM cards registration
In a move set to boost digital access, the government has now allowed refugees to use their Refugee IDs to register SIM cards, ending the longstanding use of borrowed Kenyan identification documents.
On Thursday, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) issued a public notice directing all refugees in the country to regularise their SIM card registration in line with the newly gazetted Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2025.
“Pursuant to the gazettement of The Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of Telecommunications Service Subscribers) Regulations 2025, DRS is hereby urging all refugees who have registered mobile phone SIM cards using borrowed Kenyan IDs to cease the practice immediately and regularise their SIM card registration,” the department said.
The department clarified that registering a SIM card under someone else’s name is illegal and amounts to proxy registration, which is expressly prohibited under Regulation 9 of the 2025 regulations.
“Proxy registration of SIM cards is therefore in violation of Regulation 9 of the new Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2025.
All concerned individuals are urged to take immediate action to comply,” the statement added.
The notice follows the March 11 Cabinet endorsement of the Shirika Plan — a new framework aimed at long-term development for refugees.
Through the plan, the government seeks to integrate refugees into host communities, transform refugee camps into areas with schools, hospitals, and other key infrastructure, and provide refugees with opportunities to work and contribute to the economy.
“In addressing refugee management, the Cabinet endorsed the Shirika Plan, a transformative framework shifting Kenya’s approach from humanitarian aid to a development-focused model,” the Cabinet had said in its earlier statement.
This new directive is seen as a key step in the implementation of the Shirika Plan and is expected to improve access to communication tools, promote legal compliance, and support refugees’ participation in Kenya’s digital economy.
On Thursday, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) issued a public notice directing all refugees in the country to regularise their SIM card registration in line with the newly gazetted Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2025.
“Pursuant to the gazettement of The Kenya Information and Communications (Registration of Telecommunications Service Subscribers) Regulations 2025, DRS is hereby urging all refugees who have registered mobile phone SIM cards using borrowed Kenyan IDs to cease the practice immediately and regularise their SIM card registration,” the department said.
The department clarified that registering a SIM card under someone else’s name is illegal and amounts to proxy registration, which is expressly prohibited under Regulation 9 of the 2025 regulations.
“Proxy registration of SIM cards is therefore in violation of Regulation 9 of the new Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2025.
All concerned individuals are urged to take immediate action to comply,” the statement added.
The notice follows the March 11 Cabinet endorsement of the Shirika Plan — a new framework aimed at long-term development for refugees.
Through the plan, the government seeks to integrate refugees into host communities, transform refugee camps into areas with schools, hospitals, and other key infrastructure, and provide refugees with opportunities to work and contribute to the economy.
“In addressing refugee management, the Cabinet endorsed the Shirika Plan, a transformative framework shifting Kenya’s approach from humanitarian aid to a development-focused model,” the Cabinet had said in its earlier statement.
This new directive is seen as a key step in the implementation of the Shirika Plan and is expected to improve access to communication tools, promote legal compliance, and support refugees’ participation in Kenya’s digital economy.
Refugees
Shirika plan
Refugee IDs
SIM card registration
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