[kictanet] law to start listing of Kenyans’ DNA

Tue Jan 29 06:20:36 EAT 2019

Thanks GB for sharing the article. Please see more on the same. I think it is one of those that has attracted attention even from the non ICT community. See this article:

<https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001311144/fear-over-uhuru-mass-dna-order>
Rights groups and lawyers warn on State push for DNA
<https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001311144/fear-over-uhuru-mass-dna-order>
Fears of misuse of DNA profiles for criminal purposes, manipulation of paternity tests and unlawful access by insurance firms to inform decisions on medical cover are fuelling resistance to a Government plan.

The Government’s plan to collect personal information of all Kenyans, including their DNA profiles and the GPS locations of their places of residence is facing opposition from various quarters concerned about possible breaches of privacy.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001311144/fear-over-uhuru-mass-dna-order

[http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/images/monday/thumb_rights_groups_and_la5c4f45f2d8c2f.jpg]<https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001311144/fear-over-uhuru-mass-dna-order>

Fear over Uhuru mass DNA order : The Standard<https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001311144/fear-over-uhuru-mass-dna-order>
Fears of misuse of DNA profiles for criminal purposes, manipulation of paternity tests and unlawful access by insurance firms to inform decisions on medical cover are fuelling resistance to a ...
www.standardmedia.co.ke

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Grace Githaiga

Twitter: @ggithaiga

Skype: gracegithaiga

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...the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!----Barrack Obama.

________________________________
From: kictanet <kictanet-bounces+ggithaiga=hotmail.com at lists.kictanet.or.ke> on behalf of Grace Bomu via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 6:15 PM
To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
Cc: Grace Bomu
Subject: Re: [kictanet] law to start listing of Kenyans’ DNA

Dear listers,
A highlight of media coverage of the digital DNA database issue.
Ex-MP lauds move to use DNA samples in persons’ registration
......

On the face of it, the bill sought to introduce the issuance of multi-purpose identity cards and for connected purposes where a person's details including tax, travel, medical cover, education, social security and driving licences which are captured in different documents are consolidated.

However, the trove of personal data for Kenyans allowed under the law, which Mr Nyamai spearheaded also, include DNA and dental profiles and GPS locations.

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Ex-MP-lauds-DNA-use-in-registration-/1056-4953720-c11mv4/index.html

New State registry raises fears over data protection
.....All Kenyans will be registered afresh through the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIMS) where they will be issued with a unique Huduma number that will be linked to their personal data. This will further be cross-referenced with data sets in other State agencies such as the Lands registry, National Social Security Fund, National Hospital Insurance Fund and the Kenya Revenue Authority, among others.
The NIMS database will also contain one's DNA and biometric information, and the GPS location of all Kenyans through an amendment to the Registrations of Persons Act signed by the President early this month. While the Government says the enhanced NIMS and Huduma number will enhance public service delivery and national security, some organisations have raised concern that the opaque execution of the project is open to abuse.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001310961/new-state-registry-raises-fears-over-data-protection

Regards,

Il giorno mar 22 gen 2019 alle ore 21:59 Warigia Bowman via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> ha scritto:
This is disturbing. I am quite sure that the US government does not have the right to take DNA samples from citizens.

Biometric data is not the same as DNA, rather it may include fingerprints and eyescans. This is a move towards a surveillance state.

On Tue, Jan 22, 2019 at 6:24 AM gertrude matata via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
Dear Listers,
The amendment to the Act seems to have ignored Article 31(c) of the Constitution. This being a constitutional issue, there is probably a need to subject it to constitutional interpretation on;
  what was the intention of the article in providing that such information should not be unnecessarily required or revealed;
 Whether such details being availed to persons registry clerks is defeating that intent;
  and whether the  circumstances demand the "unnecessarily" revealed bar  to be lifted.
       It is worthy to ponder the situation in terms of whether giving such information might not create inborn terror,

Regards,

Gertrude

GERTRUDE MATATA
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Go to; https://themediatorkenya.wordpress.com/author/themediatorkenya/

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On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 2:14:05 PM GMT+3, Karanja Marigu via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:

This is a classical move that also was taken by USA after 911. What do we expect next? Marshal law??

Terrorism is not a justification to take away our privacy rights and collect data. What they will do with all that data, only God knows.

Best Regards,

Karanja Marigu,

'Purpose fuels passion'

On Tue, 22 Jan 2019 at 09:10, Magdalene Kariuki via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
Dear fellow listers,

Happy New Year (albeit late).

Thank you Grace for sharing this information.

Just a few concerns about privacy of persons and the protection and use of information.

While I appreciate and understand the need for Government to address issues relating to threats to security (assuming that this is where the need for such kind of information stems from), what kind of guarantees are there that ensure this information is not traded? What kind of data protection mechanisms are in place?
or have these concerns already been raised and addressed in the new legislation?

Regards,

Magdalene

On Mon, Jan 21, 2019 at 12:16 PM Grace Bomu via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>> wrote:
Full story here https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/economy/Uhuru-backs-law-change/3946234-4943254-s1fi2b/index.html

Il giorno lun 21 gen 2019 alle ore 14:51 Grace Bomu <nmutungu at gmail.com<mailto:nmutungu at gmail.com>> ha scritto:

Listers,

The government is now free to collect data on Kenyans’ DNA and physical location of their homes including satellite details during registration of persons.

This follows President Uhuru Kenyatta’s approval of amendments to the Registration of Persons Act that has included the two to the list of requirements needed at the national people’s registry.

Adults applying for documents such as IDs will be required to provide additional information about their location, including land reference number, plot number or house number.

The ministry is also seeking to introduce Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates in the registration of persons, enabling the tracking of their location via satellite.

More here

--
Grace Mutung'u
Skype: gracebomu
@Bomu
PGP ID : 0x33A3450F

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Grace Mutung'u
Skype: gracebomu
@Bomu
PGP ID : 0x33A3450F

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