Gov’t to fast track passing of data protection bill in national assembly and the senate

The government is seeking to fast track the passing of the data protection bill in both the national assembly and the senate to shore up protection of Kenyan data in light of the Huduma registration exercise.

ICT Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng says the bill which has already been approved the cabinet is expected to become law in a month’s time will further ensure Kenyan’s Huduma number is secure.

So far 21 million Kenyans have signed up for the Huduma number despite queries arising from different quarters concerning data safety and privacy of registered Kenyans.

However the government is adamant that information extracted from Kenyans during the exercise is safe and adequate measures have been undertaken to make the information private.

To further ensure data from the Huduma registration exercise is safe the government is seeking to fast track the data protection bill in both houses after the cabinet adopted the proposed bill.

ICT PS Jerome Ochieng says the bill which is expected to provide a framework for comprehensive data protection regime in the country is expected to be passed in both houses in the next one month.

He was speaking during the 3rd graduation ceremony of the third cohort of presidential digitalent programme where youths were urged to develop ICT solutions for different field as a way generating employment opportunities.