Statistics from Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) show that as of 4^th January 2013, the four local mobile networks had switched off 1,280,840 unregistered SIM cards. Five days after the expiry of the December 31 deadline.

Safaricom leads the pack with 800,000 unregistered SIM cards already off-air. Yu follows with 290,000 unregistered lines which have been disconnected. Orange and Airtel have suspended 120,000 and 70,830 unregistered SIM cards respectively.

Releasing the statistics, CCK Director General Francis Wangusi said the disconnection exercise was progressing well despite the initial hitches.

He attributed the delays in disconnection of the more than six million unregistered SIM cards to verification of unregistered data received from mobile line dealers and agents countrywide.

“The verification exercise is quite involving as the mobile operators have to ensure that no registered mobile line is suspended from service,” said Wangusi.

A statement from the dominant player in the market, Safaricom, said the exercise was being carried out in phases.

“We have been doing our best to update the electronic records after the last minute rush that saw a huge number of customers registering their SIM cards between the 31^st of December 2012 and the 4^th of January 2013…… We are refining the awitch off process and it will continue into the weekend and those affected by the blocking will be unable to make calls or utilize any of our services until their SIM cards are registered.” Said Safaricom Chief executive Bob Collymore.

The overriding aim of the registration exercise is to achieve total compliance. Wangusi has made an appeal to those who have not registered their lines to do so within the 90 days period before their SIM cards are permanently de-activated.