Kenya’s digital economy is booming, placing the nation as a leading internet hub in Africa. But this rapid growth has created a vulnerability. While millions enjoy faster connections, the rise in cyberattacks poses a serious threat to government and private sectors.

Kenya has cemented its place among the top five most internet-connected nations in Africa. This is a major achievement. The World Economic Forum’s Network Readiness Index and local reports highlight massive digital uptake.

The key drivers of this success are clear:

Mobile Broadband, as mobile phones remain the primary gateway, driving penetration rates to over 85%.

Fibre Rollout, a significant investment in fibre-optic cables has brought high-speed fixed broadband to more homes and businesses.

Smartphone adoption, as smartphone penetration is high, making digital services accessible to a vast population.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reported an impressive surge in mobile data subscriptions and the rollout of 4G and 5G networks, confirming the country’s digital momentum.

“The shift is undeniable. The internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a lifeline for socio-economic development across Kenya, from e-commerce to e-government.”

The digital prosperity comes with a harsh reality, an escalating cyber threat. Faster, broader connectivity means a larger attack surface for criminals.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued alarming figures,

The country saw a 30% rise in cyber incidents targeting government and private sectors in the 2024–2025 period, One CA report alone detected over 4.6 billion cyber threats in a single quarter, an 80.8% increase from the previous quarter, largely attributed to enhanced detection capabilities, and the system vulnerabilities, phishing, and denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are the most common threats.

Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, even leveraging AI-driven attacks to create convincing phishing emails and social engineering schemes.

This avalanche of cybercrime has triggered an urgent call for more cybersecurity expertise. The core problem lies in a severe skills shortage.

Experts estimate Kenya needs tens of thousands of certified cybersecurity professionals, but the current number of qualified experts is dramatically low. This gap leaves vital infrastructure and corporate networks exposed.

Organisations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, are forced to operate with inadequate security measures. And the scarcity of talent drives up salaries, making security unaffordable for many, which only exacerbates the vulnerability cycle.

This crisis demands a proactive response. The government and private sector are now under pressure to invest heavily in training and attracting cyber talent to secure the digital gains that Kenya has worked so hard to achieve.