MP Kaluma Joins Team Probing WorldCoin in Kenya
Peter Kaluma, a lawmaker from Homa Bay Town, is one of fifteen legislators selected to investigate WorldCoin’s activities in Kenya in the wake of new concerns regarding the global technology company.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula assigned the team, led by Gabriel Tongoyo (MP for Narok West), 42 days to present its findings.
Throughout the investigation, the team is expected to engage with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and determine whether WorldCoin’s activities were illicit.
The fifteen members were drawn from the Administration and Internal Security, Communication, Information, and Innovation (ICT), and Tourism and Wildlife Departmental Committees.
Members of the Administration Committee include Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Caroline Ng’elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), and Sara Korere (Laikipia North).
Communication, Information, and Innovation Committee members John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu), Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South), Shakeel Shabbir (Kisumu East), and Irene Mayaka (nominated) were selected.
Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), Edwin Gichuki (Mathioya), Ruweida Obo (Lamu East), and Innocent Maino Mugabe (Likueni) represented the Committee on Tourism and Wildlife.
Wetangula proclaimed, “I wish to inform you that each of the three Committees has nominated five members from their respective memberships.”
“Permit me to remind the Committee of the importance of conducting this investigation expeditiously and submitting a report to the House by Thursday, September 28, 2023.”
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After the company’s data collection activities in the country were questioned, Kaluma was among the vocal members of parliament who voiced his opinion.
“If this is a foreign corporation, was it correctly registered? If not, there are legal consequences that must be applied,” the lawmaker demanded.
Recent Concerns
Several users complained that they were unable to withdraw the free cryptocurrency coins they received in exchange for enabling the tech company to scan their iris after its operations were suspended in Kenya.
The company’s systems were down last week, displaying an error message to users and requesting that they try again later.
Before Interior CS Kithure Kindiki suspending the company’s operations, GossipA2ZZ.Com reported that the company’s valuation plummeted by 70%.
Investors are now avoiding WorldCoin as a result of its data collection and storage practices, according to industry analysts worldwide.
The company was ordered to cease operations in April 2022, after the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) deemed its practices unacceptable.
Thousands of Kenyans waited in line at the time to have their iris scanned in exchange for a Ksh7,000 token.
MP Kaluma Joins Team Probing WorldCoin in Kenya