The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has received 7,128 complaints since its inception in November 2020.
Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait said that of these, 215 cases have been determined, with 10 entities being slapped with penalties.
Additionally, 103 cases, she said, have resulted in compensation for affected individuals, while 39 others have been resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
To scale up reporting, the ODPC has established an online platform alongside six regional offices to ensure that as many Kenyans as possible have access to its services.
Complaints, she added, can be submitted online through the ODPC website or in person at its offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret, Machakos, Nyeri, and Nakuru.
In a statement issued to the media in Kisumu during the second round of sensitisation meetings for data subjects, Kassait urged Kenyans to actively report cases of personal data misuse, emphasising the need to protect their rights and enhance accountability in data processing.
This, she said, was critical to enable the ODPC to conduct investigations within 90 days, ensuring legal recourse for affected individuals while promoting transparency and compliance with data protection laws.
“It is important for individuals to file complaints with us, as it sets the stage for investigations. By doing so, the ODPC will ensure that your rights are respected, giving you control over your personal information and establishing a framework for accountability and transparency in data processing activities,” she said.
Kassait further urged the public to take control of their data and be cautious when sharing personal information with organisations to curb cases of data misuse.
The sensitisation meeting, she said, was part of a national data protection advocacy campaign aimed at raising public awareness of data rights.
The exercise, which is also being conducted in Samburu, Makueni, Embu, Nyamira, and Ol Kalou, follows a successful campaign in Molo, Kisii, Oloitoktok, and Karatina, with plans to expand to other parts of the country.
Through the campaign, she said, the ODPC seeks to empower individuals with the knowledge necessary to safeguard their personal data and foster a culture of compliance among Kenyans.
– By Chris Mahandara, KNA
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