Nairobi, Kenya- Kenya has recorded more than three billion cyberattacks targeting government institutions, cloud services, and critical infrastructure over the past three months, prompting renewed urgency to strengthen national cybersecurity systems.
A report by the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4) links the surge to increased digital transactions and growing reliance on online platforms, particularly in Nairobi, which emerged as the country’s leading cybercrime hotspot.
The capital accounted for the highest number of reported cases, with offences ranging from unauthorised access to computer systems and electronic payment fraud to identity theft, impersonation, and cyber harassment. Authorities attributed the trend to high internet usage and the concentration of key public and private institutions in the city.
Across the country, cyber offences were largely tied to digital payments, including cases where individuals intentionally withheld funds sent in error. Other common incidents involved computer fraud, false publication, and unlawful interference with systems.
Regional data showed varying trends. In Nyanza, cyber harassment was the most reported offence, alongside identity theft and unauthorised system access, with additional cases involving child exploitation material and illegal access tools. Eastern region cases were dominated by computer fraud and cyber harassment, while Rift Valley recorded a decline in fraud but an increase in cases involving withheld electronic transfers.
The central region reported a broader range of offences, including computer forgery and non-consensual sharing of intimate images, while the Coast and Western regions mainly recorded cyber harassment and system interference cases.
The findings come as Parliament approves the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), a move expected to enhance coordination, protect critical information infrastructure and strengthen response to emerging digital threats.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, who chairs NC4, said the new agency will play a key role in improving national resilience against cyber risks.
NC4 said it will also step up collaboration with banks, telecommunications firms, aviation, and energy companies to improve preventive measures. The committee is further developing a rapid reference guide to standardise the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime cases.
