Over one hundred senior government officers, non-state actors, and Nandi business community have been taken through the need to uphold the Data Protection Act 2019.
Officers from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) asked officers from the National and County Governments of Nandi to familiarise themselves with the Data Protection Act 2019 so that they understand the need of protecting individuals during their day-to-day operations.
Dr. Manuel Makopi, ODPC lead training officer, regretted that many individuals and organisations have found themselves embroiled in legal battles for not understanding the implications of not complying with data protection.
He said the ODPC is mandated with the regulation of the processing of personal data and providing rights of data subjects which all affected parties must understand and comply with.
Makopi challenged organisations or institutions who happened to be either data controllers or processors to register with the ODPC. He said non-registered entities should comply by registering electronically and to be issued with a certificate valid for 2 years.
Vincent Musyoki, also an ODPC trainer, emphasised the need for complying with Data Protection tenets during this error of uncontrolled online messaging technology.
Musyoki asked specific individuals or organisations who may want to use somebody’s data in one way or another to seek consent first to avoid legal implications or damage of the institution’s image.
He warned that some ill-intended individuals may be out to use personal data for commercial aims or even for criminal activities and that innocent Kenyans should have their rights protected.
“We have heard cases of a minor used to market an institution without the consent of the guardians, a situation which did not end well,” he revealed.
The training took place at Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex Conference Hall in Kapsabet town.
Nandi Central Deputy County Commissioner Alfet Jillo, who represented Nandi County Commissioner Caroline Nzwili during the training, thanked ODPC for organising a training mainly targeting government officers who handle individuals’ data every day.
Jillo agreed that such training will promote integrity and confidentiality among officers handling locals’ data, which will finally improve service delivery.
“Today we are proud because we now know what to do while handling data of our people and where to complain whenever there is a problem,” she said.
Those trained included heads of departments both from County and National Government, religious leaders, boda boda representatives and several other stakeholder representatives.
By Geoffrey Satia
