City school writes to data commission, DCI over seized registers

A Nairobi-based community school has written to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), raising concerns over what it describes as the seizure and possible misuse of sensitive student data.

Safaith Centre for Disabled and Orphans, which supports vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, claims that officials linked to a neighbouring public school and sub-county education offices may have acted in ways that raise questions under data protection laws.

According to the school, the incident is said to have occurred on March 31, 2026, when a headteacher, accompanied by quality assurance officers, reportedly took possession of school registers containing parents’ contact details without what the institution considers clear legal authority.

The organisation further states that the information may have later been used to contact parents, an action it says caused distress and prompted concerns over possible unauthorised data handling and disclosure.

“This was a violation of the Data Protection Act. The seizure and subsequent use of private data exposed parents to distress and potential harm,” said a representative of Safaith Centre.

The school argues that the actions, if established, would be inconsistent with key provisions of the Data Protection Act, 2019, including lawful processing requirements and obligations around data protection.

It also raises concerns that photographs of students and teachers may have been taken within the school compound without consent, sometimes in the presence of individuals not identified to the institution, heightening fears around privacy and safety.

“We are questioning the interest in our institution. The presence during the incident and the act of taking photographs raise concerns,” the representative added.

The complaint calls on the ODPC to review the matter, take appropriate regulatory action where necessary, and ensure that any data obtained outside the law is handled in line with existing legal safeguards.

The dispute comes amid a separate directive by the Nairobi County Government to demolish the school over structures it has described as unauthorised.

However, the school moved to court and obtained orders halting the demolition.

The orders, issued by a High Court judge, restrained both City Hall and a claimant to the land from interfering with the institution.

Safaith Centre, established in 1991 and issued with a title deed in 1999 for its 0.75-acre parcel, is located between Starehe Boys Centre and Racecourse Primary School.

The school says it has compiled material, including witness accounts, which it intends to present to relevant authorities for review.

When reached for comment, the management of the neighbouring institution denied involvement in any wrongdoing and raised separate concerns regarding land boundaries involving Safaith Centre.

They indicated that the area in question includes a road linking Eastleigh and Kariokor.

“Leave them alone. I want to address the issues before I leave. I have one year to retire and I must resolve the land matter,” the management said.

They added that earlier in March, they had contacted police and education officials over what they described as encroachment concerns.

“I took pictures of the area in question. On the issue of the registers, I was not involved. Why would I keep their register?,” the management said.