By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Kenya's Data Commissioner,
Immaculate Kassait, has called for greater regional cooperation and the
harmonisation of data protection laws across East Africa to strengthen digital
trust, facilitate cross-border data flows, and accelerate digital transformation.
Kassait made the remarks
while participating in the First Annual Data Privacy Day Commemoration in
Tanzania, where she joined a panel discussion with the Director General of
Tanzania's Personal Data Protection Commission, Dr. Emmanuel Mkilia, and the
Director General of Uganda's Personal Data Protection Office, Baker Birikujja.
During the discussion, the
Commissioner highlighted the achievements of Kenya's Office of the Data
Protection Commissioner (ODPC) since its establishment, noting the progress
made in advancing personal data protection and regulatory oversight.
She emphasized the
importance of fostering strong collaboration between regulators and data
controllers through open engagement, describing trust-based partnerships as
essential to improving compliance with data protection requirements.
Kassait also advocated for
the implementation of compliance schedules through practical and incremental
measures, arguing that supportive regulatory approaches can help organizations
gradually strengthen their data protection practices while encouraging broader
compliance.
She further stressed the
need for legal and regulatory frameworks that not only enforce compliance but
also enable organizations to meet their obligations effectively.
Addressing the broader
regional landscape, the Commissioner underscored the importance of cultivating
trust within the digital ecosystem by aligning data protection laws across
countries. She said harmonized regulatory frameworks would support digital trade,
facilitate secure cross-border data transfers, and create an enabling
environment for regional digital integration.
The First Annual Data
Privacy Day Commemoration brought together regulators and stakeholders from
across the region to exchange experiences and identify strategies for advancing
data protection, digital trust, and responsible data governance.
