Kenya’s Interior Minister claims the U.S. prevented the arrest of Worldcoin executives
In a conflicting statement, a Worldcoin representative debunked the news, saying no executives were detained in Kenya.
Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kindiki Kithure, has said that United States authorities obstructed the nation’s efforts to apprehend Worldcoin’s Chief Executive, Alex Blania, and its chief legal counsel, Thomas Scott.
The executives of the controversial blockchain digital ID project, Worldcoin, were first held in custody in Kenya. But the U.S. government intervened, advocating their release because they had not been charged with any crimes yet.
Key details
- Kithure revealed this information during his appearance before the ad hoc committee investigating Worldcoin’s operations within the country.
- According to him, the executives were trying to leave the country but were stopped and detained at Nairobi’s airport by Kenyan authorities.
- However, a Worldcoin representative debunked the news, saying no executives were detained in Kenya.
- The reason behind the conflicting claims in statements made by a Worldcoin spokesperson and Kithure remains unclear.
- The committee has till September 28 to round up and submit its findings.
Key quote
Kithure said:
“They tried to leave the country but were stopped and put in custody. However, the U.S. government intervened, saying they should be allowed to leave because they haven’t yet been found guilty of committing a crime and gave an undertaking that it will produce them when required.”
Of note
- During the hearing, Kithure informed the committee that the government has successfully retrieved orbs and various electronic devices used in Worldcoin’s iris data collection.
- He added that these devices have been forwarded to the Communications Authority and the cyber forensic laboratory for analysis.
What was said
“Pertinent documents relevant to the investigations have also been recovered and are currently being analyzed, with 26 statements recorded from witnesses and persons of interest,” Kithure said.
Key background
- In July, around 350,000 Kenyans opted to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin in exchange for Sh7,000 worth of its cryptocurrency (WLD)
- Kenya took quick action and suspended the Worldcoin project in August due to security concerns after its global rollout.
- Kenya formed a 15-member committee to investigate the activities of the controversial decentralized identity project, Worldcoin, thoroughly.
