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Here are phone brands you should avoid purchasing or using
The Communications Authority of Kenya has listed 21 phone brands that do not meet the country's required safety and technical standards.
What you need to know:
- Communications Authority of Kenya asked Kenyans to avoid purchasing non-type-approved mobile phones.
- The regulator also prohibited vendors from selling the 21 flagged brands to members of the public.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has warned the public and mobile phone vendors against using or selling unapproved phones.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, the authority listed 21 brands that do not meet the country's required safety and technical standards.
The authority asked Kenyans to avoid purchasing non-type-approved mobile phones.
“The Authority, through a Type Approval process, ensures that all ICT devices comply with national and international standards related to safety, health and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), thereby protecting consumers from hazardous products, minimising health risks and preventing harmful interference with other electronic equipment. Through market surveillance, the Authority has noted an influx of Non-Type Approved mobile phones which pose a safety and health risk to the users,” the statement reads in part.
Flagged mobile brands
The 21 flagged mobile brands include: Tinsik, Realfone, F+, Fonrox, Mez, Nemojo, Vue, Bundy, Qqmee, U-Fm, and Chatada. Other brands are Superx, Momofly, Wr, X.Oda, Smba, Q-Seven, Ugbad, Ft, Raeno, and Switch.
CA warned that non-approved phones pose safety and performance risks. Such devices bypass proper testing for radiation levels, build quality and network compatibility. They may interfere with other devices, expose users to electromagnetic fields above legal limits or lack basic safety features, including battery protection.
Recent market checks showed a rise in mobile phones entering Kenya without type approval. These devices do not meet safety or technical standards and pose risks to users.
The regulator also prohibited vendors from selling the 21 flagged brands to members of the public.
“The authority therefore advises the public not to buy the above non-type-approved brands of mobile phones, and vendors are strictly prohibited from selling the same,” said CA Director General David Mugonyi.
Unapproved brands
This warning forms part of the CA’s efforts to regulate Kenya’s mobile phone market. Previous measures have focused on tax compliance and IMEI registration for imported and locally assembled devices.
This latest notice specifically targets unapproved brands, banning vendors from selling them and urging the public not to purchase such phones.
Its type-approval process ensures that all ICT devices comply with national and international safety, health and electromagnetic compatibility standards. This protects consumers from unsafe products, reduces health risks and prevents interference with other electronics.
This comes months after CA announced new requirements for mobile device assemblers, importers, retailers, wholesalers and mobile network operators.
In a public notice published on October 22, 2025, the CA stated that all local assemblers would be required to upload the IMEI number of each locally assembled device to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)'s designated portal.
The regulatory agency added that all importers must disclose the IMEI numbers of the devices they are importing in the import documents they submit to the KRA.
