The government has suspended any Worldcoin activities in the country. On Wednesday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said the state has also suspended any other entity that may be similarly engaging Kenyans.
Kindiki noted that the government is concerned by the ongoing activities of an organization calling itself ‘Worldcoin’ which is involved in the registration of citizens through the collection of eyeball/iris data,”
The registration exercise for Worldcoin at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre was stopped on Tuesday over security concerns.
Hundreds of Kenyans who had turned up were turned away as police locked the gate to the venue.
However, CS Kindiki has revealed that relevant security, financial services and protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities.
“Also investigations of the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data is being looked at,” he said.
For public safety, the CS said the integrity of the financial transactions involving such a large number of citizens must be satisfactorily provided upfront.
In addition, the government has warned of any entity or person intending to undertake such an activity.
“Appropriate action will be taken on any natural or juristic person who further aids, abets or otherwise engages minor is connected with the activities afore-described,” Kindiki added.
By Hallan Emodia