Kenya’s Rising Cyber Threats: Why Securing the Digital Economy Is Now an Urgent Priority

Kenya’s digital economy is growing rapidly, but so are the threats that come with it. In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in cyberattacks targeting both government institutions and private businesses. These incidents range from Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to malware campaigns that disrupt essential systems and expose sensitive data.

According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the country recorded 4.6 billion cyber threats in the first quarter of 2025 alone which is an 80 percent increase compared to the previous quarter. The report paints a clear picture that as Kenya becomes more connected, its exposure to cyber risks is rising at an alarming rate.

Cybersecurity and Economic Growth

The expansion of Kenya’s digital economy has opened vast opportunities across finance, retail, and e-commerce. However, the same digital transformation that drives growth also introduces vulnerabilities that can cripple progress.

Speaking at the Safaricom Cybersecurity Summit 2025, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, emphasized that cybersecurity is now a national economic concern.

“The digital economy is very important. It’s one of the easiest ways to improve our GDP. Most of our fiscal spaces are secure, and now the digital economy must be equally secured. We need policies and legislation to ensure we secure our growth as a country,” he said.

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In 2024, digital transactions reached Sh8.7 trillion, accounting for 53 percent of Kenya’s GDP, according to government data. This was a 9.4 percent increase from the previous year, driven by platforms such as M-Pesa, bank-led digital payment systems and online commerce.

Eng. Tanui noted that maintaining trust in digital systems is key to sustaining this growth.

“To grow e-commerce, you have to trust the platform. We are looking to establish a dedicated agency for cybersecurity,” he added.

Cybersecurity as a Job Creator

Beyond protection, Tanui said cybersecurity represents a major employment opportunity for Kenyan youth. As local firms strengthen their defenses, demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is expected to rise sharply. The sector could support startups, training programs, and innovation hubs that contribute directly to national job creation.

The AI Factor and Rising Threats

The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) adds a new layer of complexity. While AI enables innovation and efficiency, it also gives cybercriminals new tools to automate attacks and develop sophisticated phishing schemes.

Eng Tanui warned that AI can be leveraged to engineer attacks, including automating them. He called for collaboration between the state, private sector and the public to secure digital spaces.

Experts at the summit echoed his sentiments, noting that Kenya must build both technical capacity and public awareness to counter AI-powered threats.

Cybersecurity as A Shared Responsibility

As digital payments, data systems, and online services become integral to Kenya’s economy, cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought. It must be embedded into every business model, government project and consumer habit.