Kamau Thugge denies knowledge of Worldcoin activities in the country

By Peter Ochieng

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) governor Kamau Thuggge on Tuesday informed the country that they were not aware of cryptocurrency company Worldcoin activities in the country.

The project entails having ones eyeballs getting scanned through Iris, with those who consent to the activity reportedly receiving Sh7, 000 in return.

Thugge denied knowledge of World coin's activities in the country, when he appeared before the National Assembly Ad-hoc committee of inquiry on its controversies.

During the session, it was revealed that some of the Kenyans who had their eyeballs scanned are facing heath issues, with their eyes being at the centre of it all.

One of those who testified said he is now using glasses, after his eyes started becoming watery.

"After the scan, my eyes started becoming watery. I have been on prescribed glasses ever since that time. I don’t know if it is a coincidence or it is the world coin scan," he said.

On his part, Bernard Ochieng, one of those who witnessed before the committee on Tuesday said he was only given Sh2, 000 from the Sh7, 000 promised upon taking the scan.

"They came to school and registered us. They used Iris scan to verify that you are a human being. Upon verifying that you are a human being, they would give you 25 World coins which is currently equivalent to 70 USD. They promised Sh7,000 but I got only Sh2,000 on M-Pesa," added.

The committee heard that there was no written consent between the cryptocurrency company, and users to have their eyeballs scanned and private data collected.

World coin's activities have since been suspended in the country.