Politics

Kenya's Digital Identity System Faces Privacy Concerns

Amina Okafor
Former BBC correspondent with 15 years of experience covering African …

Kenya's implementation of a comprehensive digital identity system has sparked widespread debate about privacy rights and data protection in the digital age.

The Huduma Namba system, designed to streamline government services and improve security, requires citizens to provide biometric data including fingerprints and iris scans. While the government promotes it as a modernization effort, critics worry about potential misuse of personal data.

"We support digital transformation, but not at the expense of constitutional rights," said Grace Wanjiku, director of the Digital Rights Foundation Kenya.

The system aims to integrate various government databases and reduce bureaucracy, but implementation has faced challenges including technical glitches and public skepticism.

About Amina Okafor

Former BBC correspondent with 15 years of experience covering African politics and economics. Passionate about amplifying African voices and independent journalism.

Share this story

Related Stories
Don't Miss Out

Get the latest African news delivered to your inbox every morning.

Subscribe Now
Join the Conversation

Comments system coming soon. Follow us on social media to share your thoughts!