Kenya: Government assures public over ‘killer numbers’
By Eric Sande
Kenyans fretfulness triggered the country to a state of panic. Last week, there were widespread rumours asking mobile subscribers not to receive calls from certain numbers.
The alert was spread throughout the country via text messages, social media networks and e-mail, asking subscribers not to pick calls from the following numbers: 7888308001, 9316048121, 9876266211, 9888854137, 9876715587. The unfound reason indicated: “come in red and if received, one would get brain haemorrhage due to high frequency.”
In the Eastern province area of Ukambani, there was panic following rumours that more than 20 people had died in Machakos as a result of receiving the calls.
A quick response from the Information and Communications minister Samuel Poghisio and Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere assured the citizens that the messages were acts of criminals, adding the Government was tracing their origin.
"Upon analysis of the messages, we established the warnings are a hoax generated by unscrupulous people bent on causing fear and despondency among the public," said Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) Director General Charles Njoroge.
Michael Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the country's leading telecommunications operator Safaricom said investigation shows that the numbers listed belong to operators in India and the UK and the calls are initiated over the Internet.
“This is a hoax and not technically possible. It is a popular urban myth that has been perpetuated, especially in some Asian markets. We wish to reassure our customers and all users of mobile phones in the Kenyan market to ignore these rumours and continue enjoying our services. It is unfortunate that some people are perpetuating this rumour, causing fear and stopping many from the convenience of enjoying our services”, Joseph said. “Colour displays can not be altered, unless special software is installed onto the device, the most popular one being Colour SMS software, a freeware readily available off the Internet.” he added.
Government officials called for calm and the public to shun the messages.