This digital artifact is targeting persons who may be interested in knowing more about the status of radio signal health in Kenya. The document only gives a guideline as to what the country has done and also gives guidance on the recommended sources of information. More detailed information can be found in the WHO and ITU websites provided in the presentation.

1. Radio Signal Health
A digital artifact by Erick M. Njuri
How safe are Mobile
Phone users in
Kenya?

2. Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Compliance with international standards
3. Acceptable standards
4. Important sources
5. Conclusion

3. 1. Introduction
1 http://www.ca.go.ke/images/downloads/STATISTICS/Sector%20Statistics%20Report%20Q4%20%202016-17.pdf
In Kenya, the number of mobile subscribers was approximately 40 million as at June
2017 (See table 1 below).
Table 1: Mobile Subscriptions
To provide 40 Million subscribers with good network coverage, there is need to deploy
base stations in all the areas where operators need to provide coverage.
All the operators in Kenya, i.e. Telkom Kenya, Safaricom and Airtel Networks are also
deploying their 4G networks which also bring a huge increase in the number of
deployed BTS (Base transceiver stations).
It is hence normal for the users to ask themselves this question “How safe are Mobile
Phone users in Kenya?”
In this presentation, you will get a brief highlight of the safety of mobile phone users in
Kenya plus more information on the appropriate sources on the subject.

4. 2. Compliance with international standards
Source:
1. http://www.ca.go.ke
In Kenya, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) is the regulatory authority for the
communications sector in Kenya.
Established in 1999 by the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, the Authority is
responsible for facilitating the development of the Information and Communications sectors
including; broadcasting, multimedia, telecommunications, electronic commerce, postal and courier
services.
Among the responsibilities includes;
i. Type approving and accepting communications equipment meant for use in the country and
ii. Monitoring the activities of licensees to enforce compliance with the license terms and
conditions as well as the law.
The Communications Authority of Kenya recognizes standards from the following international bodies;
a) ANSI - American National Standards Institute
b) CENELEC - European Committee for Electro-technical Standardization
c) CISPR - International Special Committee for Radio Interference
d) IEC - International Electro-technical Commission
e) ITU - International Telecommunications Union
f) ETSI - European Telecommunications Standards Institute
g) ATEX - Explosive atmospheres directive

5. 2. Compliance with international standards (Cont…)
Source:
1. http://www.ca.go.ke/index.php/type-approval
Type Approval is the process by which a Radio Equipment and Telecommunications
Terminal Equipment (RTTE) is authorized by CA to be used in Kenya, and involves
verification of the equipment’s compliance with the applicable standards and
requirements. The main goal of the type approval regime is to ensure that all RTTEs that
are used in Kenya comply with the applicable technical standards in Kenya relative to;
a) Effective Use of radio frequency spectrum for radio communication equipment
b) Interconnection of Telecommunication Terminal Equipment with Public
Telecommunications Networks.
c) The protection of the health and the safety of the users.
d) Electromagnetic Compatibility
On doing the Type approval, the Communication Authority is guided by the International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (INCIRP) guidelines when verifying that
EMF exposure limits of consumer devices and telecommunications facilities to ensure they
are within the safety limits. Such include mobile phones and mobile phone base stations.
It can then be concluded that the process is compliant with international standards

6. 3. Acceptable standards
The Word Health Organization (WHO) and International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
recommends the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
limits.
http://www.icnirp.org/en/home/index.html

7. 4. Important sources
For more information about the safety of Mobile phones, visit the below resources;
1. World Health Organization
2. ITU - http://emfguide.itu.int/en/emfguide_m.html
3. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
http://www.icnirp.org/en/home/index.html
http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/riskenglish/en/

8. 5. Conclusion
WHO states that a large number of studies have been
performed over the last two decades to assess whether
mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no
adverse health effects have been established for mobile
phone use.
There are however other more worrying behaviors like
using a mobile phone while driving. It is advisable to
switch off or put the mobile phone on silent mode while
driving and only use it while the vehicle is legally parked
in a safe location.

9. Thank You