Special House Committee Investigates Worldcoin Operations in Kenya

Lawmakers have opened investigations into the internet currency Worldcoin (WLD) a few weeks after the Ministry of Interior and National Administration suspended its activities on August 2, 2023.

Following privacy concerns raised by several parliamentary officers under the leadership of Speaker Moses Wetangu’la on their August 15 Sitting, the Members of Parliament agreed on forming a 15-member inquiry team to probe the operations and risks of the iris-scanning crypto venture that processed sensitive biometric data on an unknown number of Kenyans for a token of Ksh7,000.

A decision was made that the MPs who will sit in the joint committee to examine the Worldcoin project would be picked from three Departmental Committees; Administration and Internal Security, Communication, Information and Innovation, and Tourism and Wildlife, and the position of chair selected by the Speaker.

Now, in the latest development from the Parliament, Speaker Wetangu’la said, “Each of the three Committees has nominated five Members from their respective memberships,” and Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo will lead its inquiry as its Chair to unearth the authenticity and legality of the project.

The Administration and Internal Security Committee nominated Lari MP Mburu Kahangara, Women Representative for Elgeyo Marakwet Caroline Ng’elechei, Peter Kaluma of Homabay Town Constituency, and Sara Korere (MP Laikipia North).

On its side, the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation nominated its Chair, John Kiarie (MP Dagoretti South), Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto, Keiyo South legislator Gideon Kimaiyo, Shakeel Shabbir of Kisumu East, and nominated MP Irene Mayaka.

The Tourism and Wildlife Committee selected its Chairperson, MP Kareke Mbiuki of Maara Constituency, MP Geoffrey Ruku of Mbeere North, Dr. Edwin Gichuki (Mathioya), Ruweida Obo of Lamu East Constituency, and Innocent Maino Mugabe of Likuyani as their representatives in Worldcoin investigations.

Speaker Wetangu’la nominated three other lawmakers who will take part in the probe but won’t have a right to vote on the committee matters: “Considering the nominations from the Committees and in consultation with the House leadership, I have co-opted MPs Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Umulkher Harun Mohamed (Nominated) and Fredrick Ikana (Shinyalu).”

This special committee will engage other relevant departments, ministries, and other government agencies like the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) and come up with a report latest on September 28, 2023.