The Kenyan government has taken steps to strengthen its cyber defences in response to a significant increase in cyberattacks. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed the newly inaugurated National Cybersecurity Agency to prioritize enhancing the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre. This centre will improve the country's ability to detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats in real-time. The move comes as the country faces a 114.3% rise in Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks.
According to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya, the country recorded 72.16 million Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks in the year to June 2026. This represents a substantial increase compared to the previous year. The growing threat of cyberattacks has prompted the government to treat cybersecurity as a national security priority, rather than solely an information and communications technology concern. Murkomen emphasized that cybersecurity is crucial for national security, economic security, public safety, and national sovereignty.
The National Cybersecurity Agency was established under Legal Notice No. 89 of 2026 as an autonomous regulatory and technical body. Its mandate is to coordinate national cybersecurity matters. The agency's board, chaired by Dr. Martin Koyabe, has been tasked with strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure and building the technical capacity needed to safeguard the country's cyberspace. Murkomen challenged the board to move quickly in achieving these goals.
The inauguration of the National Cybersecurity Agency marks a significant step in Kenya's efforts to enhance its cybersecurity architecture. The agency will work to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging threats. Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo attended the inauguration and expressed his support for the agency's mission. He noted that the agency would play a crucial role in strengthening the country's cybersecurity.
The government's decision to prioritize cybersecurity comes as digital systems become increasingly important for government services, businesses, and other critical operations. The National Cybersecurity Agency will work to coordinate the country's response to cyber threats and enhance its ability to detect and respond to attacks in real-time. Murkomen pledged government support for the board as it takes up its mandate.
The board of the National Cybersecurity Agency has been tasked with building the capacity of the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre. This centre will enable the country to detect, analyze, and coordinate responses to threats in real-time. The agency's establishment is an important step in securing Kenya's digital infrastructure. The government has expressed its commitment to supporting the agency's efforts.
The rise in cyberattacks highlights the need for Kenya to strengthen its cyber defences. The government's efforts to establish the National Cybersecurity Agency and enhance the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre are aimed at addressing this growing threat. The agency's success will depend on its ability to coordinate national cybersecurity matters and build the technical capacity needed to safeguard the country's cyberspace.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has directed the National Cybersecurity Agency to strengthen the country's digital defences amid a 114% rise in cyberattacks.
- The National Cybersecurity Agency has been established to coordinate national cybersecurity matters and enhance the country's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging threats.
- The agency's board has been tasked with building the capacity of the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre to detect, analyze, and coordinate responses to threats in real-time.
