Kenya is under a Cyberattack, Disrupting Multiple Government Websites

Kenyan authorities have successfully contained a coordinated cyberattack that temporarily disabled several government websites on Monday. The attack, claimed by a group calling itself PCP@Kenya, caused temporary outages across key public service platforms before government cybersecurity teams intervened.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed the incident occurred on November 17, affecting multiple government portals. The State Department for Internal Security activated an emergency digital response as various ministries and online services went offline.

Systems Stabilised and Access Restored

Officials said the breach was limited to the affected sites, and government cyber forensics teams quickly secured the systems. Most websites were back online by midday.

Describing the incident as a “coordinated intrusion”, the Interior Ministry highlighted the growing sophistication of cyberattacks targeting government infrastructure. Kenya’s cybersecurity teams, in partnership with private-sector experts, launched a full-scale response to safeguard impacted systems and prevent future attacks.

Digital Transformation Raises Stakes

The attack comes as Kenya continues its push to digitise public services, making cyber resilience increasingly critical. Government websites provide essential access to services such as licensing, vital records, and authentication systems.

Even brief disruptions expose vulnerabilities, raising concerns about firewalls, monitoring systems, and identity management. Officials warned that as the country’s digital footprint expands, online threats are expected to increase.

Legal Framework and Investigations Underway

Authorities confirmed the attack violates several laws, including:

• Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act
• Kenya Information and Communications Act
• Data Protection Act

Dr Raymond Omollo, chair of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4), said Kenya is boosting cyber-resilience in collaboration with private and international partners. Investigations are ongoing, and those responsible will face prosecution under the law.

Government Advises Citizens on Online Safety

The government urged citizens to take precautionary measures to protect themselves online:

• Avoid accessing government portals via unofficial links
• Report suspicious emails, messages, or login prompts promptly
• Do not accept unfamiliar permissions or terms
• Always verify the authenticity of government websites before submitting personal information

Kenya Reinforces Cybersecurity Amid Rising Threats

With all affected sites restored and operations stabilised, authorities emphasised that the incident serves as a reminder: as Kenya moves further into the digital era, cyber threats are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.

The government continues to invest in cybersecurity measures to protect national digital infrastructure and ensure continuous access to public services.