PS Omollo: Kenya loses Ksh. 4B annually to cybercrime

Dr. Omollo cited a recent cyberattack that disrupted key government services last week, affecting multiple ministries and temporarily hindering public access to e-government platforms. 

“Last week, for almost half a day, we experienced denial of services across various ministries. Two years ago, a similar attack affected the eCitizen portal for nearly 48 hours,” he said.

Speaking at the Third African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence, organized jointly by the European Union and Kenya’s Ministry of Interior, Dr. Omollo highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime. 

“We are constantly looking at ways to minimize these threats because, apart from denying citizen services, there is also fraud and financial loss,” he said.

The forum drew participants from over 35 nationalities, both in-person and virtually. It brought together law enforcement officers, ministers, private sector practitioners, academics, and civil society representatives to share experiences, discuss best practices, and explore strategies for tackling cybercrime. 

“The focus of this forum is to allow us to share experiences on how to deal with cybercrime and learn from advancements in technology over the last few years,” Dr. Omollo said.

He highlighted Kenya’s commitment to international standards in cybercrime prevention, including efforts to accede to the African Malabo Convention and the European Budapest Convention. 

“As a country, we recognize how technology has made accessing public services easier, but there are also elements who use it to commit crime. This forum is a perfect opportunity to strategize on mitigating these risks,” he added.

The forum also emphasized capacity building for judicial and law enforcement officers. Judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and investigators are receiving training on cybercrime laws and handling electronic evidence to ensure seamless investigation, prosecution, and adjudication.

The Council of Europe, which has supported more than 2,500 capacity-building activities globally over the past 14 years, reaffirmed its commitment to assisting African nations in harmonizing legislation and strengthening cybercrime prevention.

Kenya’s leadership role in combating cybercrime was cited as a key reason for hosting the forum.

The event provided a platform for African countries to voice challenges, share strategies, and collaborate on ensuring the safe and responsible use of technology across the continent.