The Joint National Assembly Ad hoc Committee of Inquiry into the activities of the foreign Company Worldcoin, kicked off its investigation with a meeting to outline its Terms of Reference, as well as to determine potential experts and witnesses to appear before it.

The joint Committee chaired by Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West) seeks to inquire into the legal and regulatory compliance of the operations of Worldcoin and its subsidiary partners in Kenya and beyond, if the iris scans exposed Kenyans to any potential health hazards, as well as the potential use of the data collected and its safety in the hands of the collector.

“Our work is cut out and we shall be calling in a number of witnesses including experts to shed light on this matter. We have very limited time to ensure that Kenyans get all the answers they deserve, and as the people’s representatives, we shall endeavor to give this inquiry our best shot,” said Hon. Tongoyo.

Top on the list of witnesses and experts the Committee has lined up for appearance is the Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Dr. Kamau Thugge and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u. They will be expected to provide information on the relationship between the cryptocurrency trade in Kenya and the recent activities of Worldcoin, as well as the source of any money or consideration paid to Kenyans whose eyes were scanned.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are also set to make an appearance before the 17-Member Committee. In addition, the Ministry of Health will provide information on potential health hazards resulting from the reported irises scans.

Others lined up for appearances are; the office of the Attorney General, the Registrar of Companies, and the Data Commissioner.

“These sessions will seek to evaluate whether the operations of Worldcoin complied with the Data Protection Act, and other relevant Laws in Kenya. We will inquire if there are any necessary legislative interventions that can be made to avert a repetition of such situations in the future,” said Hon. Tongoyo.

First meeting of the Ad hoc Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, 29^th August 2023 with the Governor of the CBK, and the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u.