Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki has named individuals within the country acting as representatives of worldcoin.

In a statement to parliament on Thursday, August 3, Kindiki named Emmanuel Otieno and Rael Mwende as officials of the controversial cryptocurrency company.

According to Kindiki, Otieno is in charge of operations while Mwende is the Country Manager.

“Both persons are being interrogated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) since Wednesday, August 2.

Among the foreign nationals associated with Worldcoin, are Mr. Poitr Piwowarczyk who is on record to have entered Kenya on several occasions, the last one being in June 2023,” the statement read in part. 

He added, “the Government through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration suspended the activities of Worldcoin in Kenya.

Also Read: We Gave Worldcoin Certificate Not Licence – Data Commissioner

Consequently, criminal investigations have commenced to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities, the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data.”

At the same time, Kindiki named a firm that was helping Worldcoin to harvest data from Kenyans by scanning their irises.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the entity has hired a company in Kenya called Sense Marketing to do the data capture for them in the country,” he revealed.

Consequently, the CS noted that they had directed the Immigration Department not to allow individuals associated with the firm to leave the country as investigations continue.

“As a precautionary measure, the Immigration authorities have been directed to ensure that no persons whether Kenyan or foreign nationals associated with this entity leaves Kenya without the clearance of the Director of Criminal Investigations who is in charge of the ongoing investigations,” Kindiki said.

To get conclusive answers, the government will also conduct investigations beyond Kenyan borders.

“The investigations will also cover any persons of interest who may be outside the territory of Kenya in accordance with relevant international procedures and protocols on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) and the exercise of extra-territorial jurisdiction,” Kindiki explained.

Also Read: Unpacking Worldcoin and Why Kenyans Are Queuing to Scan Eyes 

Previous suspension of Worldcoin 

According to Kindiki, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner suspended the operations of Worldcoin in May 2022 for a period of 60 days to ascertain its lawful basis and safeguards.

Despite the suspension, the office of the Data Commissioner discovered that the company continued to operate.

“Subsequently, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner conducted a spot check on 24th May 2023.

The Office, again, raised concerns with the processing activities of the entity and wrote to the entity on 30th May 2023 and directed immediate cessation of processing of sensitive personal data, namely: iris and facial data, of data subjects.”