BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 7th – As part of its commitment to align Kenya’s data protection framework with international standards, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) undertook international data protection partnerships through twinning and benchmarking initiatives
First, under the Twinning Project with the Belgian Data Protection Authority and facilitated by the GIZ Digital Transformation Center Kenya, an ODPC delegation visited Europe on March 27 where they held high-level exchanges with key data protection institutions.
Some of these institutions included the Belgian DPA, Maastricht University, the Belgian Parliament, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), and the European Commission.
The discussions centered on emerging issues such as cross-border data transfers, AI governance, enforcement cooperation, and digital innovation.
Following this visit, the ODPC hosted a three-day knowledge exchange and benchmarking program with the Belgian Data Protection Authority.
Supported by the European Union and the German government through DTC-GIZ Kenya, this initiative enabled both parties to benchmark regulatory practices, enforcement strategies, and operational procedures in relation to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Deputy Data Commissioner Oscar Otieno who led the ODPC team during the program underscored the success of the collaboration, stating, “Our engagement with the Belgian DPA has provided invaluable insights into mature data protection systems. This collaboration is not only about capacity building but also about fostering cross-border cooperation in an increasingly digital world.”
Through these two complementary initiatives, ODPC is not only advancing its own data governance practices but also reinforcing Kenya’s position as a regional leader in digital governance and privacy protection.
