Kenya’s rapid rise as a global digital powerhouse is now being undermined by an escalating wave of cybercrime targeting citizens, businesses and public institutions, Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo has cautioned.
Dr Omollo noted that Kenya is currently ranked among the world’s top 10 fastest-growing digital economies, a transformation powered by over 40 million smartphone users and President William Ruto’s push to digitize nearly 80 percent of public services. This progress, he said, has modernized service delivery and opened new economic opportunities, but it has also created a larger attack surface for criminals.
According to the PS, Kenya is now confronting increasingly sophisticated digital threats—including financial fraud, ransomware, online child exploitation, disinformation campaigns and targeted attacks on e-government platforms. These cybercrimes, he said, mirror a continental trend that costs Africa more than $4 billion every year, weakening economies and eroding public trust in digital systems.
“A cyber incident from thousands of miles away can destabilize institutions in seconds,” Dr Omollo warned, emphasizing that the global nature of cybercrime demands coordinated, international and sustained responses. He added that online anonymity continues to frustrate investigations and complicate legal processes, allowing offenders to operate across borders with minimal traceability.
Dr Omollo also highlighted the vulnerability of Kenya’s youth, who form one of the continent’s most digitally active populations. With a median age of 19, millions of young Kenyans navigate the internet daily, yet many underestimate the dangers of data harvesting, identity theft and misinformation. He stressed the need for comprehensive awareness and protection programs to safeguard Gen Z and Gen Alpha as they become the country’s largest digital consumers.
The PS underscored the importance of developing rights-respecting digital identity systems, which he said can protect privacy while enabling lawful tracing and accountability in cybercrime investigations. Strengthening cross-border cooperation, enhancing digital forensics, and engaging young people in cybersecurity initiatives are equally critical in building a safe and accountable digital future.
Dr Omollo reiterated that cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of government. He said the country’s growing digital ecosystem requires strong partnerships involving industry, academia and civil society. Ongoing collaborations with international institutions, he added, are equipping prosecutors, judges and security agencies with modern forensic tools and advanced investigative skills.
To reinforce these efforts, Kenya has recently strengthened national cyber governance laws, including amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act and the implementation of the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act. These reforms aim to improve the handling of digital evidence, enhance cross-border collaboration and protect critical information infrastructure.
Dr Omollo said these measures signal Kenya’s commitment not only to safeguarding its digital landscape but also to ensuring that innovation and human rights remain at the core of the country’s technological transformation.
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