A Kenyan high court has directed the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), an independent regulatory authority for the communications industry in Kenya, to begin a dialogue with telephone operators for a possible introduction of an emergency toll free number.
Civil society activist, Okiya Omtatah, had filed a petition in the high court, seeking a government initiative to create an emergency response number, according to a report published in AllAfrica.
High Court Judge, David Majanja, directed CCK to initiate talks with national police, as well as telephone service providers such as Yu Mobile, Safaricom, Airtel Networks Kenya, and Orange (News - Alert) –Telkom Kenya about starting a toll-free 999 emergency phone number.
“In light of the provisions of Article 159of the Constitution and in order to promote resolution of the matter herein, I direct the CCK to initiate dialogue with stakeholders particularly the telephone companies and the National Police for Service for the provision of a toll free emergency telephone facility,” Majanja said.
In his petition, Omtatah had said that the lack of an emergency number hampers the ability of the police to fight crime. Moreover in the absence of an emergency number, the Kenya Police Service is unable to handle its day-to-day administrative work and operations effectively.
“When Akobwait Village of Teso South District, Busia County, was attacked by a marauding gang which left death and destruction in its wake, I was forced to call the Inspector General of the National Police Service and the Director of CID on their personal mobile numbers because the 999 Police emergency response number is defunct,” he said.
The high court is scheduled to give further directions and orders on July 5, 2013. The court is expected to hear on the issue on that day.