• A Safaricom customer wondered why the telecommunications company reallocated her late mother’s phone number to another user
• While responding to the question, CEO Peter Ndegwa said unutilised phone numbers are usually relocated as they cannot remain dormant
• The Safaricom boss explained that with the increasing demand for mobile phone numbers in Kenya, it was necessary to free up inactive numbers for new users

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Safaricom chief executive officer Peter Ndegwa has explained why the telecommunications company reallocates unused phone numbers.

Why unused Safaricom numbers are reallocated

Ndegwa was responding to a question by a customer who wondered why her dead mother’s phone number was given to another user.

Read also

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa discloses telco will introduce high-speed internet: “1Gbps”

“Why can’t they let customers retain and retire their numbers upon passing? I usually get an eerily feeling when I dial my late mother’s line, and it goes through, and a man with a rusty voice answers,” a Kenyan woman identified as Stacy sought an answer.

While responding to the question in an interview with Citizen TV, Ndegwa said unutilised phone numbers are usually relocated as they cannot remain dormant.

“I empathise with Stacy. The reality of phone numbers is allocated by the regulator (CA). So, if you are not using a number because the person has passed away or has become dormant, we have to return that number, and someone else can use it. Someone cannot retain a number that they don’t utilise. If you have not used your number for six months, it will be reallocated,” Ndegwa reiterated.

Read also

Safaricom responds to woman’s inquiry about missing birthday gift bundles: “Share number”

How to check Safaricom numbers registered under your ID

Cases of M-Pesa fraud affecting Safaricom customers have been on the increase in recent years, with unsuspecting citizens losing thousands of shillings.

Cyber security expert Allan Lwala explained to TUKO.co.ke that, given the increase in identity theft and fraud cases, it is important to keep personal information from all and sundry and ensure that no unauthorised phone numbers are registered in your name illegally.

When TUKO.co.ke contacted Safaricom, the telco said its subscribers could check phone numbers registered under their ID by dialling *106#.

Safaricom to increase internet speeds

In other news, Safaricom CEO ) Peter Ndegwa said the telecommunications company will soon introduce a new high-speed internet package for consumers.

Ndegwa explained that the move was part of the company’s strategy to remain competitive amid stiff competition from satellite internet provider Starlink and other service providers.

Ndegwa said Safaricom will test 1Gbps for customers.

Source: TUKO.co.ke