DATA PROTECTION DIGEST

Archive · Kenya

Kenya: archive

All 9 archive entries on Kenya, most recent first.

KE · CRYPTO & DIGITAL ASSETS

CBK starts hiring virtual asset supervisors before the VASP rules are final

The Central Bank of Kenya advertised senior and managerial roles for virtual asset licensing and compliance functions in late April 2026, applications closing 18 May, before the VASP Regulations had even been finalised.

late April 2026 · Crypto & digital assets
KE · ENFORCEMENT

ODPC faults LOLC Kenya and recommends its directors for prosecution

In a determination dated 14 April 2026 (Peter Macharia Waithira v LOLC MFB), Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait held LOLC Kenya Microfinance Bank liable for publishing a former employee's image and personal details in public notices on its social media platforms without consent or lawful basis, ordered deletion within 14 days, and recommended the bank's directors for criminal prosecution for obstruction after the lender failed to cooperate with the investigation, with fines up to KES 5 million or two years' imprisonment on conviction.

14 April 2026 · Enforcement
KE · LEGISLATION

Public consultation on Kenya's VASP Regulations closes; final rules expected Q2

Public participation on the Draft Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations 2026 closed on 10 April 2026, keeping Kenya on track to operationalise VASP licensing in 2026.

10 April 2026 · Legislation · Crypto & digital assets
KE · INVESTIGATIONS

ODPC opens a suo moto investigation into Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses

Kenya's ODPC opened a suo moto investigation into Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in April 2026, after a direct appeal filed 6 March 2026 raised the devices' embedded recording capabilities.

April 2026 · Investigations
KE · LEGISLATION

Kenya publishes draft VASP Regulations for public consultation

The National Treasury published the Draft Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations 2026 for public consultation on 17 March 2026, the first implementing instrument under the VASP Act 2025.

17 March 2026 · Legislation · Crypto & digital assets
KE · ENFORCEMENT

High Court asked to convert an ODPC compensation award into a court order

In Muthoni v Africa International University [2026] KEHC 2254 (KLR), decided 16 February 2026, the High Court dealt with an application to adopt a July 2025 ODPC determination (Complaint No.

16 February 2026 · Enforcement
KE · ENFORCEMENT

ODPC announces 184 compensation orders and a 9,061-complaint docket

On 26 January 2026, ahead of the 2026 Data Privacy Day Conference in Mombasa, Kenya's ODPC announced it had issued 184 compensation orders to data subjects, against a cumulative docket of 9,061 complaints, 357 determinations, 134 enforcement notices and 20 penalty notices since the Data Protection Act 2019 took effect.

26 January 2026 · Enforcement
KE · LEGISLATION

Kenya's VASP Act in force: existing operators have until 4 November 2026

Kenya's Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025, assented 15 October 2025 and in force from 4 November 2025, made Kenya the first East African country with standalone virtual asset legislation.

4 November 2025 · Legislation · Crypto & digital assets
KE · ENFORCEMENT

High Court upholds ODPC action against Worldcoin's iris-scanning scheme

On 5 May 2025 the High Court of Kenya declared Worldcoin's operations unlawful under both the Data Protection Act 2019 and Article 31 of the Constitution, in Republic v Tools for Humanity Corporation & 9 others [2025] KEHC 5629 (KLR).

5 May 2025 · Enforcement