Time for Kenya to have a data protection center, says CS Joseph Mucheru

Kenya could soon have a data commissioner and a center if the statement by ICT Cabinet Secretary is anything to go by.

Speaking to the Media, CS Joseph Mucheru said, “Data protection law is already in place. We shall be employing a commissioner in two weeks’ time. Our goal is to protect people’s privacy.”

Already, the Public Service sent out a notice to eligible to apply for the position of the Data Protection Commissioner whose office was created in November last year.

Applicants had until 14^th April 2020 to apply. This is the position that the ICT CS was taking about.

Requirements

The successful candidate would be one with the following credentials according to the Public Service Commission. Have a degree in Data Science, Law, Information Technology or any related field and a Master’s Degree. Moreover, applicants must meet chapter six of the constitution of Kenya on leadership and integrity, and have at least 10 years work experience in the same or relevant field.

This individual will be responsible for enforcement of the Data Protection act, oversight on data processing operations, promote self-regulation among data controllers. In addition, s/he will be responsible for conducting assessment to ascertain that they are processed under the provisions of the act, carry out inspections, promote international cooperation in matters relating to data protection and undertake research on developments in data processing. 

The ICT CS was speaking at a time when according to him, parents are struggling with protecting their children online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since schools were closed in March due to COVID-19, more and more children are accessing online educational content even as schools prepare to re-open in September 2020.

The successful individual will serve for a period of 6 years and will not be eligible for another term or re-appointment by the ministry.