The government is taking rapid action to ensure that critical digital infrastructure is not compromised again, following a series of almost paralyzing cyber-attacks by a group operating under the pseudonym Anonymous Sudan.
Speaking in Machakos Town on Wednesday, July 2, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo unveiled the government's three-pronged strategy to safeguard Kenyan systems from breaches.
Emphasizing the commitment to ensure the public's safety from cyber threats, Omollo outlined the key focuses: Critical Infrastructure, Cybercrime Control, and Capacity Building.
“We have a task force that is setting regulations from the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018.
“The task force is drawn from all government agencies that deal with cyberspace, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and digitisation,” PS Omollo explained.
Regarding critical information, Omollo disclosed that the task force was actively establishing infrastructure to secure databases for all Kenyans in the digital realm.
According to PS Omollo, the decision has been prompted by recent incidents in the digital space, including attacks on crucial platforms like the eCitizen portal.
Regarding cybercrime, the Interior PS explained that the government had formulated a comprehensive framework to address both internal and external threats originating from Kenyan users in cyberspace.
Lastly, concerning capacity building and development, the government aims to enhance the skills and resources of institutions and individuals who rely on the internet.
The PS highlighted that Kenya had faced vulnerability to cyberattacks due to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act 2018's inability to account for the rapid advancements in technology.
Data privacy concerns in Kenya
Data privacy has emerged as a critical concern in the country. Recently, the cyber attackers claiming to be from Sudan compromised key platforms, effectively paralysing key sectors of the economy, prompting worries about the safety of Kenyans' data in the digital space.
In another instance, the Interior Ministry on Wednesday, August 2 took action to halt the operations of WorldCoin, expressing concerns about the crypto company's data mining activities in the country.
"Relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies have initiated inquiries and investigations to ascertain the safety and protection of the harvested data and the intentions of the harvesters," stated Interior Cabinet Security Kithure Kindiki while announcing the suspension of Worldcoin's operations.
