The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo is among 13 candidates shortlisted for the position of Data Commissioner, the head of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC). Omwoyo will compete for the position alongside 12 other candidates drawn from different parts of the country. The Public Service Commission (PSC) shortlisted the candidates after receiving 152 applications following its advertisement for the position in August 2026.
The application window for the position closed on September 14, with interviews scheduled to begin on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the PSC headquarters along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi. The 13 candidates scheduled for interviews are: Nooseli Moses Lemayian, Otieno Oscar Onyango, Shalle Mohamed Abdi, Sitieni Lydia Chelagat, Nyale Duncan Kubahasitsha, Kirwa Solomon, Anditi Stephen Odhiambo, Lobuin Isaac Eragae, Omwoyo David Omwoyo, Mbiuki Jasper Micheni, Cheronoh Lynnett, Abdi Mohamed Hussein, and Nyongesa John Walubengo.
According to PSC, the candidates will be required to present original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, supporting testimonials and statutory clearances from institutions. These include the Kenya Revenue Authority, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Higher Education Loans Board, a registered Credit Reference Bureau and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Members of the public have also been invited to submit credible information concerning the shortlisted candidates to the PSC before the October 1 deadline.
David Omwoyo has more than 15 years of experience spanning journalism, media training and management across the public, private, religious and non-governmental sectors. Before joining MCK, Omwoyo served as Managing Director of Waumini Communications and as Communications Director for the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, where he spent six years and oversaw the growth of a nationwide media network. He also worked at Egerton University as Fundraising and Donor Relations Manager.
Omwoyo has also taken on regional and international media leadership roles. In July 2025, he was elected chairman of the East Africa Press Councils, while also being elected president of the World Association of Press Councils. The Data Commissioner job comes as the first holder of the country's Data Commissioner position, Immaculate Kassait, approaches the end of her tenure. Kassait was appointed in November 2020 and became Kenya's inaugural Data Commissioner following the establishment of the ODPC under the Data Protection Act, 2019.
During her tenure, the ODPC developed the institutional and regulatory framework for enforcing Kenya's data-protection regime. Kassait also chaired a task force involved in developing regulations that operationalised the Data Protection Act. The office is responsible for regulating the processing of personal data, protecting individuals' privacy rights, investigating complaints and overseeing compliance by data controllers and processors.
The ODPC has, under Kassait's leadership, handled complaints and enforcement matters involving organisations accused of violating data-protection requirements. The office has expanded its institutional systems and regional presence, including the launch of an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system in 2026. The 13 shortlisted candidates will face interviews on October 5, after which the PSC is expected to proceed with the next stages of the recruitment process.
Key points
- David Omwoyo, MCK CEO, is among 13 Kenyans shortlisted for the Data Commissioner position.
- The Public Service Commission received 152 applications for the position and shortlisted 13 candidates.
- The Data Commissioner position is crucial in regulating the processing of personal data and protecting individuals' privacy rights in Kenya.
