This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 27, 2019, the High Court heard testimony from Bryan Omwenga, an information technology expert, who was testifying on behalf of the Government on the National Integrated Identity Management System (Niims).
Omwenga stated that the purpose of Niims was to collect information that already existed in manual form across several Government agencies. He claimed that the architecture of Niims would have resolved all concerns of Kenyans, including security, if his recommendations had been followed.
However, KHRC lawyer Jackson Awele questioned Omwenga about the collection of personal information, including personal emails, mobile numbers, profession, and whether one owned land or practiced farming. Omwenga denied that the State would acquire fresh citizens' details.
The court had previously barred the Government from collecting DNA data and GPS coordinates until a case challenging the exercise was heard and determined. Omwenga insisted that his role was only to give advice, and it was up to the Government to decide whether to act on it or reject it.
He admitted that he did not know whether the Government had put in place measures to ensure the personal data provided under Niims was secure and could not be used for unauthorized purposes.
The judges heard that the law required that the data collected by Niims would end up in a master population register. Omwenga suggested that an independent body should be created to ensure checks and balances when accessing the register.
