The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised foreigners traveling to Kenya that electronic visa applications and processing are facing challenges, which could be linked to the recent spate of cyber attacks by a Sudanese hacking group.
Foreign Affairs Ministry PS Korir Sing'Oei has cited a "technical problem", but this comes just hours after ICT Cs Eliud Owalo confirmed that government websites have been hacked and that they are working to restore them.
The e-Visa application is hosted on the E-Citizen platform which is among the websites that have been targeted allegedly by Anonymous Sudan.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya presents its complements to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya and has the honour to inform that there is currently a challenge in the Government e-citizen platform, which is impacting processing of e-visa," the PS stated.
"Therefore, travelers will be issued a visa upon arrival at all entry points to Kenya. The Government also wishes to advise all airlines to onboard travelers destined to Kenya," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The government expressed remorse for those who had been affected by the cyber attack, especially the foreigners who are unable to file their e-visa applications on the E-citizen portal.
In a memo that was sent to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations, Nairobi stated that new technological approaches are being established to ensure that the service provision continues despite the cyber attack.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya avails itself of this opportunity to renew to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya the assurances of its highest consideration," Sing'Oei stated.
On Thursday, July 27, a hacker group calling themselves Sudanese Annonymous claimed that they have taken down a number of Kenyan websites including key government sites like e-Citizen, Kenya Power and several private companies facilities.
Statements posted by Sudan Annonymous have claimed that their push is part of retaliation to Kenya, though the group has not substantiated how the government has meddled in the troubled country.
The group noted that their attack is in response to President William Ruto's comments on the situation in Sudan, where a number of people have been killed as a result of the fight.
Government websites offering services to Kenyans like e-Citizen and NTSA have experienced downtimes since July 24, affecting applications and renewal of Driving Licences, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, passports, and certificates of good conduct among others.
