President William Ruto has nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as Kenya’s next Data Commissioner, who will head the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC).
Chelagat is currently the Director of Legal Services at the Communications Authority of Kenya. The nomination was announced on Monday, November 9, 2026, by Government Spokesperson Charles Owino.
He said the President had made the nomination “on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission and in exercise of the constitutional prerogative vested in the Head of State and Government.”
Her name has been submitted to the National Assembly for approval, as required under the Data Protection Act, Cap 411C.
If approved, Chelagat will succeed Immaculate Kassait, who is concluding a six-year term as Kenya’s first Data Commissioner.
Under Kassait, the ODPC established a strong enforcement record in sectors that handle sensitive personal information. Speaking at a farewell dinner held in her honour on November 5, Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) Vice-Chairperson Dorothy Jemator said Kassait was leaving behind an institution with a “strong foundation for future leadership.”
The ODPC oversees how public and private organisations collect, process, store and share personal data.
The Public Service Commission conducted the recruitment process, which attracted 152 applications, with 13 candidates eventually shortlisted for interviews.
In the same announcement, the President confirmed the appointment of five chief executives of state corporations, who were selected by their respective boards following competitive recruitment processes.
Waweru Karanja was named Chief Executive Officer of the Privatisation Authority, while Peninah Wangare Wahome was appointed CEO of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Wakhungu Patrick Murunga will head the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa (RCGW).
John Washington Agutu was appointed acting head of the National Housing Corporation, while Dr Janerose Omondi was appointed acting CEO of the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust (KNEST).
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