DPP denies allowing Worldcoin to resume operations in Kenya

By , June 21, 2024

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has denied allowing the management of WorldCoin to resume operations in the country.

In a statement on Friday, June 21, 2024, ODPP insisted that WorldCoin has not been permitted to get back into business while vowing to protect the rule of law.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions would like to categorically state that no such authorization was granted to the management of WorldCoin to resume operations within the Republic of Kenya,” the statement read in part.

“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions affirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law while discharging its Constitutional Mandate,” it added.

Youth queue to register as members of the new Worldcoin cryptocurrency at KICC Nairobi on Tuesday.
Youth queue to register as members of the new Worldcoin cryptocurrency at KICC Nairobi on Tuesday. PHOTO/John Ochieng

ODPP explained that the file regarding WorldCoin was forwarded to the office by the Director of Criminal Investigations for perusal and advice.

After reviewing the file, ODPP detailed that there was no sufficient evidence to charge the suspects.

Their review also established that there were no existing regulatory policies and legal frameworks on virtual assets.

Kindiki on Worldcoin

On September 14, 2023, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced that forty-eight orbs, electronic gadgets, and Worldcoin operations assorted merchandise were recovered from agents of two companies.

“Tools for Humanity Corporation ‘ and ‘Tools for Humanity Gmbh’ who were harvesting biometric data, specifically the iris scanning of people in exchange for Ksh7,000 worth of Worldcoin tokens are currently undergoing forensic analysis,” Kindiki stated.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. PHOTO/@KithureKindiki/X
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki. PHOTO/@KithureKindiki/X

The National Security agencies have also recovered assorted documents and recorded twenty-six statements from witnesses and other persons of interest which are currently being analysed, Kindki further explained.

“The investigations will be expedited in consideration of the public interest and national security concerns, and those found culpable shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he stated while appearing before the National Assembly.

“There is a correlation between cryptocurrency, money laundering, and financing of terrorism. There exists a legal and regulatory gap in cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention in the Data Protection Act No. 18 of 2021,” he further detailed.

However, CS Kindiki revealed plans to develop regulations under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, of 2018.

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