By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The controversial iris biometric cryptocurrency project Worldcoin might soon make a return to Kenya.
Worldcoin exited the country about a year ago following security concerns raised over its use of iris in registering its members.
At the time of the exit, the government had launched a probe to determine whether it had any security and health risks.
But after several months of probe, a police file opened for the probe of the project has reportedly been closed.
According to Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi, the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has directed the police to close the file.
The closure will come as a sight of relief to hundreds of Kenyans who had already registered for the controversial cryptocurrency project.
“The Director Public Prosecutions, @ODPP_KE Renson Ingonga, has ordered the closure of the Worldcoin inquiry file in Kenya with no police action after months of probe,” Itumbi said in part of a post on his verified X handle.
“The journey to bring back @worldcoin continues…. Interior CS @KindikiKithure got it right – subject entry to a legal path and therefore get back in the right way,” he added.
When it was first introduced, several government officials and agencies sent different signals on whether Worldcoin was legally operating in the country.
While the ICT Cabinet Secretary and the Office of Data Protection said the company had met all the requirements to operate in Kenya, Interior CS Prof Kithure Kindiki still went ahead and shut its operations.
“Citizen data is a sovereignty issue. They harvested data here operating outside the law. I know I run the risk of being told I’m standing in the way of commerce but as a security manager, I need to know who is behind any crypto the source of their investment and who is doing what because if we allow anything that will harm the people of Kenya I will be asked,” Kindiki had said.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha had also raised concerns over the health risk that the registration of an Irish would pose to an individual.
But in December 2023, reports emerged that the government was in talks with Worldcoin founders over their return to Kenya.
The latest development might be a first step towards its return.