Principal Secretary for Interior Raymond Omollo has defended the rollout of digital IDs in Kenya, emphasizing their role in aiding criminal investigations while safeguarding privacy. Speaking at a forum on cybercrime, he highlighted how these systems address anonymity challenges in digital evidence. Omollo stressed the need for international cooperation to tackle cross-border cyber threats.
On November 25, 2025, Principal Secretary for Interior Raymond Omollo addressed the Third Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, where he outlined the advantages of secure digital identity solutions. These systems, he explained, would protect user privacy and mitigate the risks posed by harmful anonymity in online activities.
"Such systems preserve users' safety, while enabling lawful tracing of malicious activities without compromising on civil liberties or human rights," Omollo stated. He pointed out that anonymity often hinders investigations and undermines accountability, particularly when presenting digital evidence in courts. Omollo praised the judiciary for its advanced digitization efforts compared to other government branches.
Omollo also addressed the transnational nature of cybercrimes, noting that incidents can originate far away and quickly disrupt local institutions. "A cyber incident originating miles away can destabilize institutions here at home within minutes. This reality makes one point undeniable; that our response must be coordinated, international and sustained," he said. He underscored the importance of partnerships to enhance law enforcement's technical capabilities, providing modern forensic tools and training for effective cybercrime probes.
These collaborations would facilitate access to digital evidence through increased international cooperation, ensuring offenders' rights to fair trials are upheld. Omollo concluded by calling for greater cybersecurity awareness, especially among the youth, who may overlook dangers like data harvesting by big tech platforms.