Kenya Letter of Authorization (LOA) guidelines

This page is created to address and answer the most frequently asked questions about the registration requirements for Kenya and how to complete the Letter of Authorization (LOA).

Registration requirements

This section provides information about the requirements for registering senders in Kenya, which vary based on whether they are local or international senders. Additionally, if you need more information about the country's coverage, restrictions, and current regulations, click here (opens in a new tab).

To register your senders in Kenya, please follow and submit the requirements below depending on the senders' traffic origin.

Sender requirements

The sender's name must be linked to the company or individual and should match the initials from the person's ID card. If it doesn't, a trademark certificate is required.

• Special characters are forbidden.
• Generic sender names are not permitted unless they represent a company or product.
• For international traffic, political senders are not allowed.

Local senders registration

A local sender is an entity that operates within Kenya and focuses on reaching recipients who are also located within the country.

To register your senders in Kenya, please follow and submit the requirements below, which depend on the senders' type.

Alphanumeric Sender registration

Before you proceed with the requirements, make sure to gather the following details, as they will be necessary for registering with telco, in addition to the other documents:

• Use case description
• Type of traffic
• Service type
• Content sample
• Traffic origin

Prepare the following documents to proceed with the registration:

• Certificate of registration or a trademark certificate
• Alpha Senders LOA (opens in a new tab)

After you download the template, follow the below guide for completing it. Fill in the yellow highlighted fields by completely replacing each field with your information. If a field is not highlighted, do not change it.

1. Company letterhead and footer.
2. Date when the LOA was filled out.
3. Company name.
4. Fill out the table with the company and representative details.
5. Fill out the table with the sender details you want to register.
6. Representative name, designation, and signature with the company stamp.

For betting/lottery senders, provide the below documents together with the LOA:

• Trademark certificate for the sender ID
• A copy of the BCLB (Betting and Licensing Control Board) license
• Valid CSP license
• SMS gaming and lottery application form (opens in a new tab)

1. Fill out the table with your company information.

For political senders, provide the below documents together with the LOA:

• Certificate of registration or a trademark certificate
• Political form (opens in a new tab)

1. Provide the end users' number.
2. Fill out the table with your company information.

Shortcode registration

Before you proceed with the document requirements, make sure to gather the following details, as they will be necessary for registering with telco, in addition to the other documents:

• Use case description
• Billing model (MT/MO)
• Service/brand name
• Keywords
• Company name
• Shortcode type (on-demand/subscription)
• Message frequency (per week/day/month)
• Customer fee (price per message charged to the end user)

Provide the below documents together with the LOA:

• Certificate of registration or a trademark certificate
• Shortcode LOA (opens in a new tab)

After you download the template, follow the below guide for completing it. Fill in the yellow highlighted fields by completely replacing each field with your information. If a field is not highlighted, do not change it.

1. Company letterhead and footer.
2. Date when the LOA was filled out.
3. Company name.
4. Fill out the table with the company and representative details.
5. Fill out the table with the sender details that you want to register.
6. Representative name, designation, and signature with the company stamp.

International senders registration

International sender operates outside Kenya but the target recipients are located within Kenya.

Provide the Certificate of Incorporation and make sure to gather the following details as they will be necessary for registering with telco:

• Use case description
• Company name
• Company website

Once all requirements and documents are completed, you can:

• Direct customers (end customers) - start the Sender ID registration process here (opens in a new tab), and click the Request Sender button under Alphanumeric Sender ID. Provide the necessary details and submit the request.
• Wholesales/partner - contact [email protected] and your dedicated account manager, and provide the documents along with the required sender information.