A host of government officials prefer using foreign phone numbers within the country to avoid being tapped by security agents, lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has claimed.

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Usually, the National Intelligence Agency obtains permissions from courts to keep eye on suspicious officials or citizens.

Ahmednasir now says to beat the traps, government officials are increasingly using foreign phone numbers to make and receive calls.

Through roaming, one is able to use a foreign phone number or even data network for long periods of time.

"Do you know many govt officials with a view to avoiding surveillance/telephone taps by security agents use foreign telephone numbers? " he said.

"So next time you get a call from a dutch/Dubai/British telephone number...just pick it...it is your CS or PS neighbour calling...@WehliyeMohamed," he added.

Previously, NIS was powerful under the regimes of President Daniel Moi and Jomo Kenyatta and had been named Special Branch.

But through the new constitution, the team, besides gathering security briefings through individuals, rarely taps phone calls.

During that time, opposition politicians were their target and through phone tapping, one's conversation could be easily monitored.