Ruto nominates Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as new data commissioner
President William Ruto has nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat for appointment as Kenya’s next Data Commissioner. The Government Spokesperson, Charles Owino Wahong’o, confirmed Chelagat’s nomination on Monday, November 9, 2026, stating that President Ruto had acted on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and in exercise of his constitutional mandate. Chelagat’s name has now […]
Nairobi, Kenya - President William Ruto has nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat to serve as the next Data Commissioner in Kenya, forwarding her name to the National Assembly for vetting and approval. Chelagat's selection follows the recommendation of the Public Service Commission and aligns with the provisions of the Data Protection Act, which establishes the legal framework for appointing the Data Commissioner.
The officeholder is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Data Protection Act, protecting personal information, and regulating the collection, processing, storage, and use of personal data by organizations. Chelagat's nomination positions her to succeed Immaculate Kassait, who served as the inaugural Data Commissioner until her six-year, non-renewable term ended.
The appointment of Chelagat highlights the growing importance of data protection as Kenya's digital services expand, with increasing concerns about safeguarding personal information held by various sectors, including government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and private businesses.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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