Kassait warns Kenya is playing catch-up as foreign firms control digital infrastructure

NAIROBI, Kenya – In her final days at the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), outgoing Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait cautioned that Kenya risks falling behind as it becomes increasingly reliant on foreign technology infrastructure. Kassait acknowledged that while Kenya has implemented policies to regulate data processing, its limited local technical capabilities and persistent reliance on external platforms weaken its negotiating position with multinational technology firms.

She emphasized that negotiations with these companies can often be one-sided, as the country lacks the necessary digital infrastructure and technical expertise to engage on equal terms. "We are always playing catch-up," Kassait stated, highlighting the need for Kenya to develop its own digital infrastructure and bolster technical capabilities to improve its bargaining power.