Amnesty calls on data protection to investigate on irregular party registration
Amnesty International Kenya has called on the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) to commence investigations into the irregular party registration.
This comes after complaints brought against the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and political parties by members of the public.
In a press statement, Amnesty International Executive Director Irungu Houghton urged ODPC to conduct an assessment with a view to ascertain whether ORPP and political parties processed personal data in compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2019.
“Political parties and all data controllers are obligated by the Data Protection Act to collect personal data directly from data subjects. Further, unequivocal, free, specific, and informed consent must always be obtained prior to any processing of personal data. Political parties should therefore take necessary steps to ensure compliance with data protection laws,” he said.
He raised concerns with emerging reports that persons have been involuntarily registered for political party membership.
According to him, this denies Kenyans the right to make free political choices which includes the right to join a political party of their choice.
Further, he added that these developments are a gross violation of the right to privacy and present significant infractions of the Data Protection Act, 2019.
“The principles and obligations of personal data protection require data controllers and processors to ensure that personal data is accurate and kept up to date, with reasonable steps being taken to ensure that inaccurate personal data is erased or rectified without delay,” he added.
He reminded the public that they have the right to be informed of the use to which their personal data has been put.
Further, he said that every person has the right to correction or deletion of any false or misleading data about them.
“We urge every aggrieved person to utilize the complaints mechanism provided for in the Data Protection Act, 2019 by filing a complaint with the Office of the Data
Protection Commissioner,” he concluded.
There was an uproar by Kenyans who protested their registration as members of political parties without their knowledge.
Kenyans took to social media to express their dismay at revelations that they were members of certain parties despite retaining no memory of when they registered with them.
