Nairobi, Kenya October 24 –As part of our initiatives to enhance staff capacity and strengthen data protection through international collaboration, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) embarked on a twinning program with the Belgian Data Protection Authority (DPA) which entailed joint visits in the two countries.
The year-long twinning exchange project facilitated by the GIZ Digital Transformation Center Kenya and supported by the European Union culminated with a visit by the Belgian DPA to Kenya. This was the second visit from the Belgian DPA to Nairobi as part of the ongoing exchange program. The twinning initiative aims to enhance the ODPC’s internal capacity in data protection, and the progress made thus far has been promising.
Through the support of the European Union and GIZ, the ODPC successfully sent three cohorts to Europe, including teams focused on compliance, complaints investigation and enforcement (CIE), and research and legal audits. These exchanges have provided invaluable opportunities for ODPC staff to engage with the Belgian DPA, the French CNIL, and various EU institutions dedicated to data protection.
During these visits, the mutual learning and exchange program focused on comparative analysis in key areas such as case handling, investigative processes, and litigation. Through interactive sessions, Belgian DPA delegates presented their regulatory, investigative, and compliance models, while ODPC staff participated in discussions to identify opportunities for adaptation within Kenya’s national context.
Commenting on this, the Data Commissioner reaffirmed the Office commitment to leveraging this twinning project to build the capacity of its staff, both at headquarters and in regional offices, ensuring equitable opportunities for all employees.
“This initiative underscores the importance of active engagement and knowledge sharing among staff, as Kenya continues to be recognized for its efforts to enhance data protection regionally and globally, evidenced by winning four global awards at the Global Privacy Assembly,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the GIZ team for their unwavering support in this and other engagements, as their contributions play a significant role in promoting trust and transparency in data protection in Kenya.
