The Ministry of Interior has announced the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) after securing parliamentary approval, as Kenya steps up efforts to counter rising cyber threats.
In a June 22 statement shared with Kenyans.co.ke, the Ministry said the new agency will be an autonomous regulatory and technical body in charge of coordinating national cybersecurity efforts and protecting the country’s digital infrastructure.
“Establishment of the Agency marks a significant step in Kenya’s efforts to secure its rapidly expanding digital ecosystem and safeguard critical information infrastructure that supports national security, public service delivery, economic activity and the daily lives of millions of Kenyans,” the statement read.
The approval comes after the government sought Ksh4 billion to establish the agency in a document tabled before Parliament, citing the need to strengthen its response to digital security threats.
A silhouette of a hacker using a computer on March 13, 2018.
Photo
CSO AMERICA
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the agency is intended to close existing operational gaps amid fraud, ransomware, data breaches and attacks on critical infrastructure.
He noted that Kenya is now among the most targeted countries in Africa, with ICT-related attacks increasing in scale and complexity amid adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI).
The NCSA will be responsible for developing and overseeing national cybersecurity strategies, managing the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre, and supporting sector-based cybersecurity operations centres.
It will also conduct audits and certification of critical infrastructure, carry out vulnerability assessments, issue technical advisories, and coordinate responses to cyber incidents.
Additionally, the agency will establish a Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence to support research in digital security, while also rolling out training and certification programmes aimed at addressing the country’s cybersecurity skills gap.
The NCSA has been established under the National Cybersecurity Agency Order, 2026, issued by President William Ruto on May 15, which stipulates the creation of a multi-agency board.
The board will include officials from the National Treasury, the ICT Ministry, the Attorney-General’s Office, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service (NPS), the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), alongside representatives from academia and the private sector.
As the country increasingly relies on digital systems, including mobile money, e-commerce, online government platforms and education technology, citizens can expect to see expanded government oversight.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appearing before MPs to answer questions pertaining to security on Thursday, February 12, 2025.
Photo
Kipchumba Murkomen
