NAIROBI: CCK says it will be switching off all phony mobile handsets from April. The move is based on the fact that many Kenyan's have fallen prey of money scandals through their handsets and some cannot be traced since they lack or have duplicated International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). Francis Wangusi, CCK Director General gave notice to the public that this exercise will be done and they (public) should be prepared for the switch-off as stated. He asked the public to recognize that the move was not meant to be a form of harassment but it will provide a sound solution to end mobile handset fraud and he therefore urged the public to bear and support them (CCK). Previously, CCK had put in place measures to educate the public on the ordeal of the removal of the phony handsets. This was according to Christopher Kemei, CCK's director of licensing. The switch-off had been scheduled for December last year but was postponed so that, mobile phone users could have ample time to attain genuine handsets. The Kenyan Anti-Counterfeit Authority had stated that Kenya looses around 3.2 Billion Shillings annually through tax evasion and sale of phony handsets.
