Kenya Urges Refugees to Use Official Refugee IDs for SIM Registration

 

By Victor Maiyo 

The Kenyan government has asked all refugees in the country to stop using borrowed Kenyan ID cards to register mobile phone SIM cards. Instead, they should use their official Refugee IDs.

In a notice issued on June 12, the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) emphasized that it is legal for refugees to use their Refugee IDs to register SIM cards. This move is intended to help refugees access key services such as mobile money.

The DRS warned that using someone else’s ID to register a SIM card violates Regulation 9 of the Kenya Information and Communications Regulations, 2025. Refugees who have already registered their SIM cards with borrowed IDs are urged to update their information immediately.

This directive supports the broader Shirika Plan, a new government strategy announced in March 2025 that aims to provide long-term solutions for refugees. The plan focuses on integrating refugees into host communities, allowing them to work and contribute to Kenya’s economy. It also includes transforming refugee camps into sustainable settlements with essential services like schools, hospitals, and housing.