President William Ruto nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as Kenya’s next Data Commissioner and forwarded the name to the National Assembly for vetting under the Data Protection Act, Cap 411C, the Government Spokesperson Charles Owino Wahong’o announced on Monday, November 9.
The nomination follows the Public Service Commission’s recommendation after a recruitment drive that attracted 152 applications, shortlisted 13 candidates and held interviews on October 5, as the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) prepares for a leadership transition from Immaculate Kassait’s six-year tenure.
CAJ Vice-Chairperson and Access to Information Commissioner Dorothy Jemator, speaking at Kassait’s farewell dinner on November 5, praised the outgoing commissioner for establishing a distinct institutional identity, expanding jurisprudence and regulatory guidance and leaving a strong foundation for her successor.
During Kassait’s term the ODPC oversaw how public institutions and private organisations collect, process, store and share personal information, built an enforcement record across sectors handling sensitive data and maintained a working relationship with CAJ through consultations, capacity building and a joint advisory opinion on the intersection of access to information and data protection.
Chelagat brings more than 15 years of legal, regulatory and corporate governance experience, currently serving as Director of Legal Services and Corporation Secretary at the Communications Authority of Kenya, a post she assumed in December 2023.
Her previous roles include General Manager, Legal Services & Company Secretary at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, Group Company Secretary & Head of Legal Services at CPF Financial Services Ltd, Regional Advisor on East African Community integration and membership of the local Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee preparing for Kenya’s hosting of the Internet Governance Forum.
She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Strathmore University Business School, executive education from NYU Wagner, IESE Business School and CEIBS, a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Buckingham, a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law and is an Advocate of the High Court, Certified Public Secretary, Accredited Governance Auditor and member of several professional bodies.
The ODPC’s next head will inherit regulatory challenges that span artificial intelligence, digital lending, cloud computing and government information systems, including proposed guidance on overseas AI platform data transfers, enforcement concerns around digital lenders and oversight of public-sector digital services, as highlighted in recent TechTrends Kenya reporting.
In the same announcement the government named five new chief executives at state corporations: Waweru Karanja as CEO of the Privatization Authority, Wakhungu Patrick Murunga as head of the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa, Peninah Wangare Wahome as CEO of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, John Washington Agutu as Acting CEO of the National Housing Corporation and Dr Janerose Omondi as Acting CEO of the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust.
