In 2024, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) announced that starting January 2025, all mobile device importers must submit the IMEI numbers to ensure the integrity and tax compliance of mobile devices. However, a significant development occurred in July 2025 when Kenya’s High Court overturned these mandatory registration directives, ruling them unconstitutional due to privacy violations under Articles 24 and 31 of the Kenyan Constitution.
Along the way, there have been complaints from Kenyans who have seen this as a move for the government to easily track Kenyans and know their whereabouts, concerns that proved justified when civil society organizations successfully challenged the policy in court.
Every device manufactured has a series of digits that help identify it, be it a phone or a tablet. These numbers, popularly known as IMEI numbers, are crucial for many reasons. You may need this number to track a stolen device, verify authenticity, or unlock it.
The IMEI is usually a 15-digit number, and it is an acronym for International Mobile Equipment Identity. IMEI numbers follow a specific structure that provides valuable information about your device. The first eight digits represent the Type Allocation Code (TAC), which identifies the manufacturer and model. The next six digits are the serial number unique to each device, while the final digit serves as a check digit for verification purposes. This structure helps authorities and consumers distinguish between genuine and counterfeit devices.
How To Get Your Device IMEI Number
Below are the methods you can use to find your device’s IMEI number:
iPhones
If you use a device that runs on the iOS operating system (iPhones & iPads), checking its IMEI number is relatively easy. Just navigate to your device settings, then select General, and go to the About section. Scroll down, and you will find the IMEI feature between Bluetooth and ICCID. To get your number, tap on the IMEI and copy it to your clipboard. For devices with dual SIM capabilities, you may see IMEI and IMEI 2, representing each SIM slot.
Android Phones
The most common way to find IMEI numbers on every Android phone (Samsung, Tecno, Xiaomi, etc.) is by using the *#06# code. This method is straightforward, as soon as you dial these codes on your phone dialler, the IMEI number will be presented to you.
This universal method works across all Android manufacturers and is the quickest way to access your device’s identification number. Alternatively, you can check your device settings by going to Settings > About Phone > Status or Device Information, where the IMEI will be listed alongside other device details.
Communications Authority of Kenya IMEI Checker
The Communications Authority of Kenya has launched multiple verification tools that you can use to determine whether your phone’s IMEI number is valid and corresponds to a genuine device. These Methods are as follows:
Online IMEI Checker Tool
The CA provides an online tool accessible via https://www.ca.go.ke/imei-checker. If your phone IMEI number is valid, the tool will give you a successful pop-up message indicating your device manufacturer’s name, your device model, and the time when the IMEI number was created.
SMS Verification Service
For those who prefer to use the SMS method, the CA advises obtaining your IMEI number using the *#06# method, simply send the 15-digit number as an SMS to 1555. You will receive an immediate response indicating whether your device is genuine, along with details about the manufacturer, model, and other relevant information
For immediate assistance with IMEI verification or related inquiries, you can reach the Communications Authority of Kenya at +254 (20) 424000, +254 703 042 000, or +254 730 172 000. The authority maintains these contact channels to support consumers navigating device authenticity verification and addressing concerns about potentially counterfeit devices.
