Ruto proposes Lydia Chelagat as Kenya's data commissioner
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tuko
Kenyan President William Ruto has proposed Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as the next data protection commissioner, subject to approval by the National Assembly. She is to succeed Immaculate Kassait, whose single six-year term ends in mid-November, according to government spokesman Charles Owino quoted by Tuko.
Kenyan President William Ruto has submitted Lydia Sitienei Chelagat's nomination for the post of data commissioner to the National Assembly, in accordance with the procedure set out in the Data Protection Act. Her appointment still has to be approved by MPs, government spokesman Charles Owino announced on Monday 9 November.
Lydia Sitienei Chelagat is to succeed Immaculate Kassait, Kenya's first data commissioner, whose single six-year term comes to an end in mid-November 2026. Kassait was sworn in on 16 November 2020.
The Public Service Commission launched the search for her successor in August. After applications closed on 14 September, 13 candidates were shortlisted, including David Omwoyo, director general of the Media Council of Kenya, and John Walubengo, deputy data commissioner.
The future commissioner will have to oversee compliance with the Data Protection Act, as public administrations, banks, telecoms operators and digital platforms process Kenyans' personal data on a large scale.
