The ongoing controversy surrounding the cryptocurrency project, Worldcoin, has taken a troubling turn with reports emerging that some Kenyan participants who underwent iris scans for registration are now experiencing health problems. Furthermore, several individuals allege that they were not paid the promised Ksh.7,000 for signing up as new Worldcoin users, receiving only Ksh.2,000 instead.
During a testimony before the National Assembly Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Worldcoin matter, Marube Mogusu, one of the witnesses, revealed that he began experiencing eye issues after the iris scan and had to seek medical attention. “After the scan, my eyes started becoming watery. I have been wearing prescribed glasses ever since. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or if the Worldcoin scan is responsible,” he shared with the committee.
The witnesses emphasized that the eye scans were supposedly conducted to verify the humanity of the users during registration.
Another witness, Bernard Ayoo, admitted his participation was primarily motivated by financial gain but claimed he had been deceived. The committee learned that although users had been promised 70 US dollars (approximately Ksh.7,000), they received only Ksh.2,000.
“They came to school and registered us. They used iris scans to verify our humanity. After verifying, they would grant you 25 World coins, which is currently equivalent to 70 USD. They promised Ksh.7,000, but I only received Ksh.2,000 via M-Pesa,” Ayoo recounted.
Bogita Minyega, a student, also told the committee that there was no formal written consent or agreement between the cryptocurrency firm and users for the iris scans and the collection of private data.
“They just informed me about the scan and the grant. I was skeptical, but the moment they mentioned money, I agreed,” Minyega stated.
Additionally, Minyega noted that some of those who registered for Worldcoin are facing social stigma, particularly from peers who refrained from participating in the iris scan.
Meanwhile, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Kamau Thugge, who appeared before the committee, clarified that the CBK had no involvement in licensing or clearing Worldcoin’s proprietors. Thugge further disclosed that the CBK had no knowledge of Worldcoin’s activities within the country.
The seventeen-member Committee is currently investigating the connection between cryptocurrency trading in Kenya and Worldcoin’s recent actions, with a focus on the source of the funds distributed to Kenyan participants before undergoing iris scans.
