Murkomen tasks cybersecurity board with securing Kenya’s digital infrastructure

Kenya's Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has instructed the newly established National Cybersecurity Agency Board to expedite measures to safeguard the nation's crucial digital infrastructure and enhance its ability to handle cyber threats. The board, chaired by Dr Martin Koyabe, must prioritize the development of the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre to enable it to identify, evaluate, and coordinate responses to cyberattacks in real-time.

Murkomen emphasized that cybersecurity is a critical national security concern, warning that the increasing reliance on digital systems has exposed Kenya to risks that could have significant consequences for the economy, public safety, and national sovereignty. The Cabinet Secretary praised the government's advancements in digital transformation but stressed the necessity of implementing robust safeguards to protect vital infrastructure, government systems, and sensitive data.

Statistics from the Communications Authority of Kenya reveal that Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks surged to 72.16 million in the year to June 2026, marking a 114.3 percent increase from the previous year. DDoS attacks overwhelm targeted computer systems or networks by inundating them with excessive traffic, leading to service disruptions and preventing legitimate users from accessing the affected systems.

During the inauguration of the National Cybersecurity Agency Board in Nairobi, Murkomen addressed the gathering at Harambee House. The agency, created under Legal Notice No. 89 of 2026 as an autonomous regulatory and technical body, will be responsible for overseeing cybersecurity matters nationally and strengthening coordination among organizations tasked with protecting Kenya's cyberspace amid the growing adoption of digital technologies.