Kenya enacts law to support digital DNA identification

Kenya has enacted amendments to its national identification law that will enable the state to collect more precise data when issuing identification documents. These include digital Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA), GPS coordinates of residential addresses, retina and iris pattern, voice waves and earlobe pattern. Previously, persons were required to register their fingerprints, facial image, postal address and place of birth. The newly signed law will help to build a digital ID system known as National Integrated Identity Management System that will centralise birth, ID, refugee, death, driving licences and passport records.

in 2016 having a higher rate of registration of persons than most Sub-Saharan African nations. However, key gaps identified included having numerous identification databases as well as lack of a privacy and data protection framework. Although there are data protection Bills, the country is yet to enact a comprehensive privacy law.