Homa Bay Town MP, Peter Kaluma, is among a group of 15 lawmakers selected to conduct an investigation into the activities of WorldCoin in Kenya. The move comes as fresh concerns have emerged regarding the global tech firm's operations in the country.
National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, has appointed a team led by Gabriel Tongoyo, the Narok West MP, to oversee the investigation. The team has been given 42 days to present its findings.
The group is tasked with engaging with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) throughout the investigation to ascertain whether WorldCoin's activities were in violation of Kenyan laws.
The 15-member team was drawn from the Departmental Committees on Administration and Internal Security, Communication, Information and Innovation (ICT), and Tourism and Wildlife.
Members of the Administration Committee on the team include Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Caroline Ng'elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), and Sara Korere (Laikipia North).
From the Communication, Information and Innovation Committee, the team includes John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South), Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu East), and nominated MP Irene Mayaka.
The Committee on Tourism and Wildlife is represented by Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), Edwin Gichuki (Mathioya), Ruweida Obo (Lamu East), and Innocent Maino Mugabe (Likuyani).
Speaker Wetangula emphasized the urgency of the inquiry and urged the committee to deliver its report to the House by Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Peter Kaluma was notable for expressing his concerns about WorldCoin's data collection activities in Kenya, particularly whether the company was properly registered and compliant with local laws.
WorldCoin's activities in Kenya were suspended, prompting complaints from users who were unable to withdraw their cryptocurrency coins received in exchange for allowing the company to scan their irises.
Recently, the company's systems experienced technical issues, leaving users unable to access their accounts. Following the suspension of its operations by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, WorldCoin's valuation reportedly dropped by 70%.
Industry experts attribute investor reluctance towards WorldCoin to its data collection and storage practices. The company faced suspension after the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) declared its practices unacceptable in April 2022. At that time, thousands of Kenyans had participated in iris scanning in exchange for a Ksh7,000 token.