The government is seeking Sh4 billion to establish a new cybersecurity agency, citing the need to strengthen Kenya’s response to increasing cyberattacks.
In a document tabled before Parliament, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen said the proposed National Cybersecurity Agency will help close existing gaps, improve incident response and protect critical infrastructure from growing digital threats.
Murkomen said Kenya is now among the top four most targeted countries in Africa, with cyber and ICT-related attacks increasing in scale and complexity due to rapid digital adoption and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
He told the National Assembly Delegated Committee that the country is losing at least Sh29 billion annually to cybercrime and related digital threats, warning that increased connectivity has exposed citizens, businesses and government systems to more risks.
“Kenya’s heavy internet use has expanded both economic opportunities and exposure to cyber threats. Kenyans spend an average of five hours and 10 minutes daily on social media, more than double the global average,” he said.
He added that the growth of digital infrastructure has increased the country’s vulnerability, with more than 7,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable laid since 2023 and plans to roll out 25,000 public internet hotspots to support innovation, youth and enterprise.
Murkomen warned that the country is facing rising attacks, with more than 8.6 billion ICT infrastructure intrusions recorded annually. He said the number is expected to grow as state and non-state actors continue exploiting weaknesses in digital systems.
The CS cited several cyber incidents, including a 2023 denial-of-service attack on eCitizen, disruptions during the 2024 Finance Bill protests, government website defacements in 2025, data breaches at the Kenya Bureau of Statistics and a ransomware attack on the Kenya National Highways Authority in May 2026.
He said the reported figures may not reflect the full extent of the problem because many successful attacks are not reported for different reasons.
The Interior Ministry estimates that Kenya has between 23.4 million and 27.4 million active internet users, supported by 140 per cent mobile penetration and about 500 million mobile money transactions daily.
Murkomen said the Sh4 billion allocation for the proposed National Cybersecurity Agency will support the establishment of a cybersecurity operations centre, policy development, capacity building and the purchase of tools and software subscriptions.
He said operational costs for the agency are expected to reduce over time, adding that the institution will strengthen protection of critical infrastructure, improve cyber hygiene awareness and position Kenya as a trusted digital economy partner globally.
Murkomen urged Members of Parliament to approve the proposal, saying timely investment in cybersecurity is important to safeguard citizens, businesses and government systems as Kenya continues with its digital transformation agenda.
He warned that delays in strengthening cybersecurity would expose the country to more sophisticated transnational cyber threats and increased financial losses.
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