PS Omollo: Kenya Losing Ksh.4 billion Annually to Rising Cybercrime Threats
The Council of Europe, which has facilitated over 2,500 global capacity-building activities over the last 14 years, promised continued support for African nations as they strengthen cybercrime laws and digital security frameworks.
Interior PS Raymond Omollo speaks during the opening of the International Conference on Water, Peace and Security in Nairobi. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Kenya continues to lose billions of shillings owing to increased cybercrime activities, where at least Ksh.4 billion is estimated to be lost annually, according to the Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo. His remarks underscore the urgent need for stronger, coordinated measures against the growing sophistication of digital criminals.
Dr. Omollo made the revelations while addressing participants at the Third African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, an event jointly organized by the European Union and Kenya’s Ministry of Interior. He observed that the economic and security implications of the cyberattacks have become too severe to be ignored, especially given recent disruptions targeting government systems.
He referred to the recent cyberattack that hit key ministries just last week, which temporarily paralyzed online government services.
“For close to half a day, various ministries were faced with a denial-of-service situation that slowed down or totally brought to a halt access to public services,” the PS said. “And two years ago, we saw a similar breach that brought the eCitizen platform down for almost 48 hours.”
According to Dr. Omollo, these incidents not only inconvenience citizens who depend on the e-government platforms, but also expose the country to fraud, data breaches, and significant financial losses. He emphasized that cybercrime is evolving at a rapid pace, demanding equal agility in response mechanisms.
“We are constantly reviewing our systems and policies to reduce vulnerabilities. Beyond service disruption, cybercriminals are causing financial damage that runs into billions,” he noted.
The forum brought together over 35 countries, both physically and virtually, represented by government officials, security experts, technology professionals, and researchers, as well as civil society organizations. The aim was to share emerging trends, best practices, and lessons on digital crime prevention.
Dr. Omollo reiterated Kenya’s commitment to aligning itself with international cybercrime standards, citing the ongoing efforts to join the African Union’s Malabo Convention and the Council of Europe’s Budapest Convention, both of which seek to harmonize laws and improve cooperation among nations fighting digital crimes.
“As much as technology has made public service delivery more efficient, it has also opened new opportunities for criminals. This meeting allows us to strategize together on how to reduce the risks that come with digitization,” he said.
Capacity building for judicial officers and law enforcement personnel was a key component of the forum. Judges, prosecutors, investigators, and magistrates are receiving specialized training on cybercrime legislation, handling electronic evidence to ensure that cases are processed effectively from investigation to prosecution.
The Council of Europe, which has facilitated over 2,500 global capacity-building activities over the last 14 years, promised continued support for African nations as they strengthen cybercrime laws and digital security frameworks.
One of the reasons Kenya was chosen to host this year’s forum was due to its proactive stance in the fight against cybercrime, underlining its increasing influence in shaping continental cybersecurity efforts. The event ultimately provided a platform where African nations could share ideas, face common challenges, and create collaborative strategies toward the safe, responsible, and secure use of technology across the region.
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