Worldcoin Saga: Kenya Gov't Exposes 11 Companies That Facilitated Controversial Crypto Project

• The National Assembly Committee investigating Worldcoin operations in Kenya kicked off the inquiry on Tuesday, August 29
• Office of the Director of Computer and Cyber Crime revealed to the committee that since November 2022, the cryptocurrency firm engaged 11 companies in Kenya
• Head of Cyber-security Standards and Policy David Njoka warned that the data collected from the 350,000 Kenyans is not safe

Worldcoing engaged 11 companies in Kenya since November 2022 to carry out its activities in the country, a parliamentary inquiry committee has heard.

Office of the Director of Computer and Cyber Crime told the National Assembly Committee probing the matter that the companies hired casual agents and trained them to assist Kenyans download the app and scan their eyes.

Who conducted Worldcoin activities in Kenya?

The committee led by Narok West MP Hon Gabriel Tongoyo commenced investigations on Tuesday, August 29, with submissions from the Head of Cyber-security Standards and Policy, David Njoka.

The report by Njoka revealed that the cryptocurrency firm's operations were coordinated by local companies registered as Platinum De Plus Limited, EXP Kenya and Sense Marketing.

The firms are owned by Wangechi Maina and Rael Mwende, respectively.

Unsecured data on Worldcoin

According to the office, the platform registered 350,000 Kenyans, taking 25% of the company's global subscribers (2.1 million people) since its launch.

"Worldcoin registered over 350,000 Kenyans and in terms of the numbers of data registered globally. Kenyans amounted to around 25%, which is something of concern,” said Njoka.

Worldcoin targeted eight million people worldwide in a project aimed at creating a universal global economy.

The platform said the data collected from the iris scan will be transferred to the Amazon servers based in the US.

Njoka noted this poses a great risk due to the sovereignty of the information whose safety is not guaranteed, recommending a thorough investigation.

“The rate at which world coin was being adopted just like other cryptocurrencies is also alarming to our country... 350,000 in one week is quite high," he said.

Kenyans fail to convert free Worldcoin

Worldcoin launched in Kenya on Monday, July 24, offering free tokens of 25WLD or KSh 7,000 to Kenyans scanning their eyeballs.

The more than 350,000 Kenyans registered for the cryptocurrency craze as of Tuesday, August 1

However, the majority did not know how to convert the coins to Kenya shilling, a move that prompted cryptocurrency traders in the country to take advantage.