Kenya launches sovereign cybersecurity centre as digital threats mount
Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui said cybersecurity had become a national security priority and an essential requirement for building a secure, resilient and trusted digital economy.
NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government has inaugurated the SecureKE Sovereign Security Operations Centre (SOC) at Konza Technopolis to bolster protection of government systems and citizen data amid escalating cyber threats. The centre aims to deliver shared cybersecurity services to government bodies and private sector organizations, including continuous monitoring, AI-supported threat detection, incident investigation, vulnerability management, and coordinated response efforts.
Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy John Tanui emphasized that cybersecurity has become a national security priority and a vital component of building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital economy. Tanui highlighted that Kenya has witnessed a surge in digital adoption, with 58.5 million mobile data subscriptions by June 2025, but also noted the escalating cyber threats, such as ransomware, phishing, identity theft, and AI-enabled attacks.
The center's launch aims to address these challenges through shared cybersecurity services, reducing the need for individual institutions to establish their own cyber defense capabilities. Konza Technopolis Development Authority CEO John Paul Okwiri stressed that a digital economy requires digital trust, which hinges on robust cybersecurity.
SecureKE will complement existing infrastructure, such as the Konza National Data Centre, by providing AI-driven threat detection, proactive hunting, incident-response support, and security automation. The initiative supports Kenya's digital sovereignty, enhances confidence in digital services, and is aligned with the Technopolis Act 2026, which aims to develop technopolises as smart cities and innovation hubs.
Tanui acknowledged the uneven distribution of cybersecurity capabilities among institutions and emphasized that SecureKE offers a cost-effective solution by pooling resources for shared security services. Additionally, the center is expected to foster local expertise, promote knowledge transfer, and generate employment opportunities within the cybersecurity sector.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
