The Kenyan government has instructed mobile network providers to override standard messaging restrictions so that emergency alerts reach every active phone, even those with Do-Not-Disturb settings or opt-out preferences enabled. This requirement was issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya on October 1, 2026, and applies to Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya, and Jamii Telecommunications.
The directive targets two key periods: the National Early Warning System simulation exercise and the El Niño preparedness phase. Normally, bulk SMS delivery depends on subscriber consent, with Do-Not-Disturb features blocking unwanted messages. The CA’s order suspends these rules for government-approved alerts, requiring carriers to:
- Deliver approved messages to all active subscribers, regardless of their messaging preferences
- Disable opt-out protections for emergency traffic
- Give these messages network priority to ensure timely delivery
- Provide technical assistance for both simulation tests and real emergencies
This exemption extends beyond evacuation orders to include early warnings, disaster preparedness advisories, simulation notifications, emergency instructions, and El Niño-specific public safety alerts. All messages will be sent through designated government platforms, including the short code 1590.
Initial test messages were set to be sent on October 2, leaving operators just one day to prepare. The CA’s Director General, David Mugonyi, made it clear that compliance is non-negotiable. The authority cited legal provisions, including Article 35 of the Constitution and the Access to Information Act of 2016, which require the government to distribute critical public safety information. It also referenced Article 33 (freedom to receive information), Article 46 (consumer rights to safety-related data), and Condition 6 of operators’ licenses, which mandates cooperation during emergencies.
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If you have blocked promotional texts, that block will not apply to these messages. Expect some during the simulation period and through the El Niño response period. Some of them will be tests, so a message about a simulation does not necessarily mean a real emergency.
The reports do not say when the El Niño period ends or exactly how long the exemption will last, so it is open-ended for now. The directive tells operators not to apply opt-out mechanisms to them, so assume you cannot.
The CA justified the order as necessary for public safety and national security, fulfilling the government’s responsibility to protect lives and property.
Carriers must report their readiness to the CA.
