This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
On November 8, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Data Protection Bill 2019 into law, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's data protection journey.
The new law establishes the office of the Data Commissioner and sets out the requirements for the protection of personal data processed by both public and private entities.
President Kenyatta signed the bill at State House Nairobi, accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, ICT CS Joe Mucheru, Attorney General Paul Kihara, and State House Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi.
During the signing ceremony, President Kenyatta emphasized the importance of data protection in Kenya's digital economy, stating that the new law will enable the country to flourish as a nation and reach its potential as one of Africa's fastest-growing digital economies.
Separately, President Kenyatta met with visiting executives of Amazon Web Services (AWS), led by Vice President Teresa Carlson. The meeting was a follow-up to a discussion the Head of State had with the group during his official visit to Washington last year.
Ms. Carlson applauded Kenya for the passage of the new data law and informed President Kenyatta of Amazon's plans to set up an 'edge location' in Nairobi. An edge location is where end users access services located on Amazon Web Services.
President Kenyatta welcomed the establishment of an edge location in the country by AWS, assuring that Kenya has the requisite infrastructure and educated young population that will benefit from the business opportunities and jobs that will be created.
