The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Capital Market Authority (CMA) and Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) have warned Kenyans against registering for the controversial Worldcoin cryptocurrency.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait and CA Director General Ezra Chiloba raised concerns over the security of data collected on Worldcoin’s Orb.

Kassait and Chiloba accused the American company of not offering the Kenyan public sufficient information on the security of their personal data raising cyber security concerns.

This comes as Worldcoin has registered more than 360,000 Kenyans since landing in Kenya by scanning their irises then issuing them with a World ID together with 25 WLD tokens.

According to CA and ODPC bosses, the issuance of the free tokens by the cryptocurrency project company was in violation of the Kenyan laws as it is tantamount to inducement.

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“Since the launch of WorldCoin operations in Kenya, the CA and the ODPC has undertaken a preliminary review and noted a number of legitimate regulatory concerns that require urgent attention,” read the statement by CA and ODPC.

The two state agencies said the issues raised needed an in-depth investigation to allow regulators to advise all stakeholders on apt measures to protect interests of the public.

“The issues include lack of clarity on the security and storage of the collected sensitive data (facial recognition and iris scans), obtaining consumer (data subject) consent in exchange for monetary reward which borders on inducement, uncertainty regarding consumer protection on cryptocurrency and related ICT services, inadequate information on cybersecurity safeguards and standards and massive citizen data in the hands of private actors without an appropriate framework,” continued the statement.

Chiloba and Kassait have thrown their weight behind the decision by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to suspend the Worldcoin registration in Kenya indefinitely.

“Arising from these preliminary observations, a multi-agency investigation is underway. Consequently, and as directed by the government, the Worldcoin must cease its data collection activities in Kenya until further notice,” warned CA and ODPC.

In that regard, they have warned Kenyans against freely giving their personal information to international tech firms, citing similar data privacy concerns raised in Europe and India.


On its part, CMA indicated that its own assessment of the cryptocurrency project founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman showed that the company is not regulated in Kenya.

According to CMA, Worldcoin’s crypto tokens (WLD) and its other products are not investments hence they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Capital Markets Authority.

“The public is further adviced to be wary of the potential fraudulent schemes that may emerge in the over-the-counter market of crypto tokens,” said CMA in a statement.

It added, “The CMA cautions the public against dealing in unregulated entities and products.”

This comes hours after ICT and Digital Economy CS Eliud Owalo, wuring an interview on NTV on Wednesday morning, said the government was fully aware of the activities of Worldcoin in Kenya and that they were operating in Kenya within the law.