IEBC is taking a bold step with the latest voter registration drive by introducing iris recognition technology alongside traditional fingerprint scanning. This is a big move to secure the electoral process, but it raises a critical question: how do we balance security with privacy?

The Security Promise: Why Iris Scans are a Game-Changer

The main goal of using iris recognition is to create a permanent, unforgeable biometric identity for every voter.


Biometric Feature

Advantage

Iris Pattern

Unique and Stable. Unlike fingerprints, which can be worn down by manual labor or change over a lifetime, the pattern of the human iris remains unchanged. This makes it a more reliable identifier.

Dual Biometrics

Unprecedented Accuracy. Using both iris and fingerprint data makes it nearly impossible to have double registration, impersonation, or fraudulent voting, boosting the integrity of the voter register.


As an IEBC Commissioner noted, capturing face, iris and fingerprints ensures multiple authentication layers, so we don’t have to rely on manual identification in case one biometric fails.

The Privacy Paradox: When Data is Forever

The introduction of iris technology however comes with a high stakes risk. Biometric data, especially iris scans is immutable—it cannot be reset or changed if compromised. This raises serious privacy and security questions that IEBC must answer transparently to gain public trust.


Key Public Concerns

The Challenge for IEBC

Data Storage and Protection

How will millions of sensitive, immutable iris scans be securely stored, protected with encryption, and shielded from internal or external misuse?

Mission Creep

Will this highly personal biometric data be used for purposes beyond the electoral process (e.g., surveillance, government databases), especially given Kenya's varied history of data protection enforcement?

Accountability

Who is held responsible if this sensitive data is leaked or accessed without proper oversight? The Data Protection Act provides a framework, but public confidence in its consistent enforcement is low.


This trust deficit is evident in the low turnout in the first days of the registration drive as many Kenyans are hesitant to surrender such personal, permanent information.

Lessons from the Global Stage

Kenya is not alone in this. Other countries have faced similar adoption challenges: India’s Aadhaar uses iris recognition as part of its national ID system but has faced global criticism and legal challenges on data misuse and mass surveillance.

  • Ghana also uses iris scanning to improve voter registration.

These examples show a global dilemma: while biometrics boost security and efficiency, they also require robust legal and technical safeguards to prevent loss of fundamental privacy rights.

IEBC’s success will depend less on the technology itself and more on public trust. It must go beyond announcing new tech and show that every voter’s unchangeable data is protected with utmost care and responsibility.