Kenya’s cyberspace is under mounting pressure as the country experiences an unprecedented surge in cyber threats, coinciding with a period of robust digital expansion.
- •In the first quarter of 2025, cyber threat incidents skyrocketed to over 2.5 billion, up from 840.9 million, a sharp 201.7% increase, according to data from the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre (KE-CIRT/CC).
- •The report reveals that system vulnerabilities were the leading cause of concern, with related threats soaring by 228.3% to more than 2.47 billion cases.
- •While malware threats fell by 27.6% to about 24.5 million, and brute force attacks dipped slightly by 2.8%, Kenya’s digital infrastructure remains highly exposed.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, which disrupt access to critical services, declined significantly by 75.6%, but the overall threat landscape has grown more complex.
In response to this surge, authorities issued 13.2 million cybersecurity advisories, representing a 14.2% increase compared to the previous quarter. These advisories targeted both individuals and institutions, urging heightened vigilance and adoption of protective measures.
In 2024, the total number of reported online crimes almost doubled to 3.5 billion, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2025 Economic Survey shows.
This spike in cyber incidents comes against the backdrop of Kenya’s deepening digital transformation. The ICT sector recorded steady growth during the quarter, driven by greater uptake of mobile data, broadband subscriptions, and mobile money services. This expansion has been supported by the rising availability of smartphones and the continued rollout of mobile network infrastructure nationwide.
Domain registrations under the country’s .KE domain also reflected this digital momentum. The total number of registered users rose slightly by 1% to 109,251, led by growth in corporate domains under .CO.KE, which increased by 4.5%. However, personal domains under .ME.KE witnessed a dramatic decline of 89.5%, dropping from 3,462 to just 362. Analysts suggest this could reflect growing privacy concerns or individuals consolidating their digital identities in the face of rising cyber threats.
Experts warn that the widening digital footprint is creating a larger attack for cybercriminals. As Kenya advances in connectivity and digital services, it also faces the challenge of securing its cyberspace from increasingly sophisticated attacks. The Communications Authority of Kenya has called for stronger investments in cybersecurity, enhanced public awareness, and stricter adherence to cyber hygiene practices to safeguard the gains made in the country’s digital economy.
Kenya’s experience underscores a global trend where rapid digital adoption, while unlocking economic opportunities, also intensified cyber risks. As the country continues to position itself as a regional tech hub, balancing growth with security will be critical in the years ahead.
