The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has officially released its 2026 Technical Specifications for Mobile Cellular Devices. This comes after the CA updated the list of type-approved devices in the country, which was recently a hot mess.
Having dug through the newly published document, I can tell you that the CA isn’t just making minor tweaks. They are laying down strict ground rules to ensure that every mobile device ranging from feature phones to top-tier smartphones and tablets meets global standards for safety, network compatibility, and user experience.
Here is everything you need to know about how these new specifications will impact your next smartphone purchase.
USB-C is now the law of the land
We have watched the European Union force major tech players (looking at you, Apple) to adopt USB-C, and now Kenya is officially following suit.
- The CA now mandates that the charging solution for any mobile cellular device must be USB Type-C.
- On top of that, your charging setup must feature a detachable cable from the power adapter.
Say goodbye to terrible battery life
We have all experienced the frustration of a phone dying halfway through the day. The CA is stepping in to establish a baseline for battery performance.
- Any mobile device battery must now provide a minimum of eight (8) hours of talk-time.
- Furthermore, devices must offer at least twenty-four (24) hours of standby time.
The 3-pin plug rule
If you have ever bought an imported phone and had to scramble to find a specific adapter just to plug it into your wall, this update is for you.
- Any device sold with a power plug in Kenya must conform to the Type G standard, which is the standard 3-pin plug used locally.
- If a manufacturer or retailer sells a device with a non-3-pin plug, they are legally required to include an adapter in the box to convert it to a 3-pin setup.
- Devices must also be built to handle our local grid, supporting an operating voltage of 240V (±10%) at a frequency of 50 Hz (±1).
Future-proofing for 5G (and beyond)
The CA is making sure that phones coming into the country aren’t going to be obsolete in a year.
- Devices are required to support frequency bands designated for 2G (GSM), 3G, 4G, and crucially, 5G (IMT-2020).
- They must also be ready to support future generations of networks as allocated by the ITU.
Strict safety and health standards
A significant portion of the new guidelines is dedicated to keeping consumers safe from harmful radiation and dangerous hardware.
- Radiation limits: The CA has capped the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to protect users. The limit is set at 2.0 W/kg for the head and trunk, 4.0 W/kg for limbs, and a strict 0.08 W/kg average for the whole body.
- Battery warnings: For phones that still have replaceable batteries, manufacturers must include a clear warning mark near the battery slot highlighting the explosion risk if the wrong battery type is used.
- Eco-friendly materials: Devices and their accessories cannot contain hazardous elements like Lead, Mercury, or Cadmium.
Mandatory accessibility features
One of the most welcome additions is the strict mandate on accessibility. The CA insists that mobile devices must cater to persons with disabilities.
- Vision & hearing: Devices must support users with limited vision via screen readers, haptic feedback, and text-to-speech. They must also support users with hearing impairments via visual notifications and real-time captioning.
- Mobility: Phones must be operable by those with limited hand strength through large touch targets, keyboard-only navigation, and one-handed modes.
- Emergencies: Support for Real-Time Text (RTT) is mandated to ensure everyone has barrier-free access to emergency services.
These 2026 guidelines show that the CA is taking a proactive approach to the hardware entering the Kenyan market. By mandating USB-C, enforcing baseline battery standards, and prioritizing consumer safety, the CA is attempting to put an end to the days of settling for subpar, incompatible, or potentially hazardous imported devices.
