Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a two-month deadline to the newly inaugurated National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) Board to establish the institution's management structures and human resource framework. This directive was given during the formal inauguration of the Board of Directors, marking a significant step in Kenya's efforts to strengthen national cybersecurity governance and resilience. The Board, chaired by Dr. Martin Koyabe, comprises representatives from key government institutions, academia, and the private sector.
The National Cybersecurity Agency was established under the State Corporations (National Cybersecurity Agency) Order, 2026, Legal Notice No. 89 of 2026, published on May 15. The Agency is mandated to serve as Kenya's single accountable authority for cybersecurity strategy, critical infrastructure resilience, cyber operations, technical capabilities, and national and international cooperation. Murkomen emphasized that the Board should prioritize putting in place the necessary structures before the end of the year to pave the way for the Agency's full operationalization.
Murkomen warned that relying on seconded personnel and short-term staff for too long could undermine the development of the new institution. He proposed that the Board use the remaining two months of 2026 to establish its human resource framework and top management structure, creating a foundation for subsequent recruitment. The CS also challenged the directors to provide decisive leadership in building a proactive, coordinated, and accountable national cybersecurity architecture.
The Board chairperson, Dr. Martin Koyabe, was appointed by President William Ruto on August 21, 2026, for a three-year term. In addition to Dr. Koyabe, the Board includes Lorna Achieng' Omondi Ogolla and Dr. Jerop Joy Kibor, who were appointed by Murkomen on September 11, bringing expertise from outside the traditional government institutional framework. The Board also comprises representatives from key government institutions, including the Principal Secretary for Internal Security, the Principal Secretaries for the National Treasury and ICT, the Attorney-General, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Raymond Omollo expressed confidence in the experience represented on the Board and assured members of continued support from relevant government agencies, institutions, and individuals. Omollo emphasized the need for a constructive working relationship between the Board and the Agency's management, with the Board providing strategic direction and oversight while allowing management to handle operational responsibilities and remain accountable for its performance.
Murkomen also called for deliberate investment in local cybersecurity expertise through partnerships with universities and research institutions, saying nurturing young professionals was important to strengthening Kenya's long-term technical capabilities. He emphasized that the Agency's success would depend on the commitment of Board members and their ability to build productive working relationships across government institutions and other stakeholders.
The Interior CS urged the Board to provide inclusive and diplomatic leadership to ensure all represented institutions have an opportunity to contribute while respecting their respective mandates and institutional autonomy. With the two-month deadline, the Board will need to move quickly to establish the necessary structures and ensure the Agency's full operationalization.
Key points
- The National Cybersecurity Agency Board has been given a two-month deadline to establish key structures.
- The Agency's success depends on the commitment of Board members and their ability to build productive working relationships.
- Murkomen emphasized the need for a proactive, coordinated, and accountable national cybersecurity architecture.
