The Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo, has issued a detailed clarification on the newly proposed amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2025.

Speaking during an interview, the CS outlined the primary objective of the updates, stressing that they are designed to tackle evolving digital-age threats that have increasingly put Kenyans at risk.

Kabogo stated that the revised Act targets modern forms of cybercrime, including identity theft, SIM-swap fraud, cyberbullying, deepfake manipulation, online exploitation, and other emerging technological abuses.

He explained that these offences have grown more sophisticated, making it necessary for the law to evolve in order to offer stronger and clearer protections to citizens.

Addressing concerns raised by the public, the CS emphasized that the amendments do not curtail freedom of expression, expand state surveillance powers, or authorize arbitrary shutdowns of websites or online platforms.

Instead, he said the law introduces precise definitions of cyber offences and ensures that any request for access to personal data is guided by stringent legal safeguards, including mandatory court supervision.

Kabogo noted that the Act reinforces the rights of Kenyans by balancing security measures with constitutional freedoms.

According to him, the amendments establish clear boundaries on what government agencies can or cannot do, providing transparency and preventing misuse of the law.

The CS also outlined Kenya’s broader national cybersecurity strategy. This includes strengthening the operations of CERT-Kenya, which handles cyber incident response, and establishing the National Cyber Security Agency, a central body that will coordinate nationwide efforts to detect, deter, and respond to cyber threats across public and private sectors.

Kabogo concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting digital spaces while safeguarding fundamental rights, noting that cybersecurity remains a shared responsibility requiring awareness, collaboration, and updated legal frameworks to keep pace with global technological changes.