We Must protect your data KHRC takes NIIMS to court

“That pending the hearing and determination of the petition, the respondents … are hereby restrained from installing and operationalising the national integrated information management system (NIIMS) in any manner howsoever,” reads one of the orders sought. The exercise is a serious threat to fundamental rights and freedom, the group says. The exercise is a serious threat to fundamental rights and freedom, the group says.

The exercise is a serious threat to fundamental rights and freedom, the group says. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has moved to court to suspend the collection of data from Kenyan citizens under National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS).

KHRC wants the amendment to Registration of Persons Act that was assented to in December by President Uhuru Kenyatta to be declared unconstitutional. The petitioner claims the law empowers State to collect data, including the DNA but does not guarantee safety and protection of this information. According to Interior principal secretary Karanja Kibicho, the biometric registration that is being piloted in 15 counties, does not entail collection of DNA samples or information on physical location even though recent changes in law allows the State to do so.

Also not to be collected are information on biological features such as hand geometry, ear lobe geometry, retina and iris patterns as well as voice waves which are also permitted under the recent legal changes.