Kenya today launched the Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) Project, a bold national initiative aimed at safeguarding the country’s digital future. Officially unveiled during a high-level event in Nairobi, which also hosted the project’s first Steering Committee meeting, the initiative is funded by the European Union with KES. 454 million (EUR 3 million) over 36 months.
The project will strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity ecosystem, protecting citizens, businesses, and government services as the country’s economy becomes increasingly digital.
Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary in charge of Broadcasting and Telecommunications, emphasized that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a national priority.
“Cyber resilience is a prerequisite for economic growth and the protection of our democratic values. The launch of the Kenya Cyber Resilience Project marks the start of a 36-month journey towards a safer digital Kenya. We have the plan, the partners, and the will to make it work,” he said.
Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary in charge of the State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, highlighted that the project is fully aligned with national strategies, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Digital Master Plan, and has been designed to translate Kenya’s digital ambitions into concrete action.
“The KCR Project was developed in consultation with national stakeholders to ensure it responds to real challenges on the ground and strengthens Kenya’s digital infrastructure,” he said.
Mr Jorge Pereiro Piñón, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Kenya, added that cybersecurity underpins trust in Kenya’s digital economy.
“With more Kenyans using mobile money, e-government platforms, and online services, strong cyber resilience is critical to protect citizens, institutions, and the economy. The European Union is proud to fund this project to support Kenya in building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystem,” he said.
The project, implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), will focus on strengthening legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks, building operational capacity for cyber incident prevention and response, and promoting public awareness and trust, with special attention to women, youth, and users of public digital services.
The launch brought together senior officials from key institutions, including the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), the National Computer and Cybercrime Coordination Committee (NC4), the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA / KE-CIRT/CC), the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, and the National Treasury, alongside development partners and representatives of EU member states.
The first Steering Committee meeting, co-chaired by the MICDE and EU, validated the project’s work plan and next milestones, ensuring coordinated oversight and strategic guidance throughout the implementation period. The KCR Project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the Team Europe Initiative on Human-Centred Digitalisation, and the EU–AU Digital Compact, reflecting Kenya-EU collaboration to strengthen digital and cybersecurity cooperation.
Through the initiative, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to support Kenya’s
digital transformation in a secure, inclusive, and sustainable way, reinforcing cyber resilience
as a foundation for development, stability, and public trust.
Photos from the launch event
