On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 07:05, Sam Aguyo <saguyo@yahoo.com> wrote:

I watched last night on TV an expose of how criminals rob MPESA and other traders in CBD. What i found interesting is that they transfer floats from the agents phones to their phones. This is something that has been happening and very recently. My wonder is, does it mean that the SIM registration was put on hold or some Mpesa agents do not adhere to set rules of demanding identification for every transaction. These people must be withdrawing the money anyway and whenever they do the transfer, their number is reflected. Could someone on the know highlight on this.

I feel indeed horrified

Sam,

You can say that again.

The problem here is that some rule (- it wasn't a law, or was it? ) was introduced, but if you ask those who came up with it what mechanisms they had established to ensure that the rule was (1) adhered to, (2) enforceable (3) useful for the purposes for which it was meant, they'll stare at you blankly in the face. There is simply no mechanism to enforce the rule. People still buy SIM cards without anyone demanding authentic identification and registration from the buyer.
Is there a central database of all the registered SIM cards? Is it with CCK? Is it shared with the Police/
Come to what I thought the rule was meant to achieve in the bottom line: Deter criminal activities associated with mobile phones.
Do you suppose there are established interaction mechanisms between the MNOs, the Police and CCK?

I challenge whoever has that detail to publish it. Why does it take too long for the citizenry to be told about it?
For me, I believe it was just one of those cases where the govt bullshits Kenyans. It does that many times over without batting an eyelid.