Kenya is stepping up its importation game with a new twist: declaring mobile phones and their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers upon entry. And yes, this rule doesn’t just apply to importers or retailers as indicated earlier by the CAK — it affects each and every passenger touching down in Kenya, as of January 1, 2025. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has just released a statement requiring everyone entering the country to fill out an F88 passenger declaration form listing all mobile devices intended for use during their stay along with those IMEI numbers.
Here’s the thing, if you’ve ever traveled to Kenya, you know that arrival procedures at the airport aren’t exactly a smooth glide through customs. Now, imagine adding IMEI numbers to the paperwork mix. Not only will travelers be scurrying to find their phone’s IMEI (the unique identifier every mobile device carries), but they’ll also need to accurately document these details on the form before proceeding. For some, this might mean extra time fiddling with their phones to find that 15-digit code instead of moving along to their next destination.
To give a little context, the KRA, in coordination with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), says this measure is meant to tighten tax compliance and reduce the number of unregistered devices in the market. The new rule affects more than just individuals; it’s a sweeping regulation for importers, local assemblers, and manufacturers who must upload IMEI data on a KRA portal to comply with tax laws. Retailers will only be able to sell tax-compliant devices, and mobile network operators are tasked with verifying devices against a whitelist to keep unregistered phones off Kenyan networks.
Here’s the part that raises eyebrows
This move is, to put it lightly, rare. In fact, Kenya may be the first country to require individual travelers to disclose IMEI numbers for their personal devices. Plenty of Kenyans who frequently travel point out that they’ve never had to fill out anything like this in other countries. The idea of declaring a personal mobile phone — an everyday item we all carry — feels a bit intrusive and could be a slippery slope if it means travelers’ data and privacy will face tighter scrutiny every time they cross borders.
Then there’s the bigger question: Will this work, and at what cost? Kenya’s ICT industry is still growing, and measures that complicate or slow things down might actually hamper progress. The country has been making strides to encourage innovation, technology adoption, and even mobile connectivity expansion in rural areas. But asking for IMEI numbers at every port of entry risks creating an unfriendly experience for both locals and international visitors, potentially discouraging those who come for business, conferences, or tech investments. In a region where every new rule and regulation needs to be weighed for its impact on progress, this decision seems like a step back.
Let’s be real — the current airport customs experience in Kenya is no cakewalk. Many Kenyans can attest to the long lines, delayed processes, and occasional miscommunication between departments. Adding IMEI verification to the mix? It’s almost guaranteed to be a recipe for even longer wait times and potential confusion.
For the everyday traveler, there’s already enough paperwork and security to get through. From ensuring your passport is stamped correctly to remembering to declare any duty-free items, now there’s another task to check off: accurately reporting your device’s IMEI number. There’s no telling how well-prepared customs officials will be to handle this extra layer of information, and it could lead to chaos, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Is this really necessary?
The reality is that this move by the KRA and CAK comes across as heavy-handed and perhaps, dare I say, overzealous. While the intentions to fight tax evasion and limit the flood of unregistered devices are valid, enforcing IMEI declarations at the individual level is overkill. Not only does it potentially infringe on privacy, but it also sets a precedent that makes technology seem like a threat rather than a tool for progress.
For a country that prides itself on embracing digital transformation and being a tech leader in Africa, this kind of regulation feels counterproductive. Kenya’s homegrown mobile payment system, M-Pesa, revolutionized banking across the continent, and Nairobi’s “Silicon Savannah” continues to attract global tech talent. Why tarnish that reputation by introducing measures that make visiting Kenya — or even coming home — feel like an uphill battle?
As we get closer to 2025, we can only hope that the KRA and CAK reconsider the finer details of this policy or at least streamline the process to prevent turning entry points into a waiting game. Until then, Kenyans and visitors alike should prepare for some unexpected airport form-filling — and maybe even brush up on how to find their phone’s IMEI number before touchdown.
