Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has asked Safaricom to give immediate family members of deceased customers priority in retaining their SIM cards.
Moreover, Alai also asked Safaricom to consider extending the period within which the service provider can change ownership of the SIM cards upon the holder’s demise.
“Hey Safaricom, it’s not fair to immediately hand over lines of our deceased loved ones just a few months after their demise. Please be fair to families and offer them a chance to own the lines first,” Alai said in a tweet.
It is important to note that network providers have all the legal rights to recall unutilized SIM cards after a period of 60 days. Meaning, customers who fail to use their lines, whether dead or alive, cease ownership of their SIM cards after 60 days.
The Kileleshwa MCA’s plea coincided with the launch of a new service by Safaricom which enables customers to keep their SIM cards active for up to two years with a single top-up of airtime.
Also Read: Safaricom Unveils Daima Service Allowing Customers Keep Numbers Active for Up to Two Years
Likewise, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the Daima service seeks to address the challenge of inactive SIM cards for customers who may be travelling or living abroad for prolonged periods, are away at school or police and army training.
Daima service will also be of help to those who have a change of ownership of the SIM card situation due to the loss of a loved one.
Nonetheless, the service will Sh200 to keep the SIM cards active for six months, Sh500 for one year and Sh1,000 for two years.