Kenya’s place in the global digital economy came into sharp focus Tuesday as Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo opened the Third African Forum on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence in Nairobi.
The three-day convening, bringing together cybersecurity experts and government officials from across the continent, is intended to strengthen cooperation against increasingly complex cyber threats.
In his keynote address, Dr. Omollo said Kenya’s rapid technological advancement has not only reshaped how citizens access public services but has also positioned the country among the fastest-growing digital economies worldwide.
“Kenya is now ranked among 10 fastest growing digital economies in the world,” he said, noting that digital platforms have become central to daily life for millions of Kenyans.
He pointed out that the country has witnessed an unprecedented leap in e-government service delivery. From fewer than 300 digital services at the start of the current administration, the government now offers more than 22,000 online services.
“Today, we have over 22,000 government services being offered digitally. We now have 40 million smartphones capable of accessing nearly 80% of all public services online,” he said.
PS Omollo on cyber threats
But even as Kenya celebrates its digital progress, PS Omollo warned that cybercriminals have become more sophisticated. From financial fraud to misinformation and cyber terrorism, the threats continue to grow in both scale and complexity.
Recent attacks on government platforms, he said, demonstrate the urgent need for coordinated defensive strategies across the region.
“However, this rapid expansion has come with increasing complexities. Kenya, like many other countries, has witnessed a rise in sophisticated cyber-enabled offences, financial fraud, online child exploitation, misinformation, as well as cyber terrorism,” Dr. Omollo noted.
These offences, he added, are not confined by national boundaries.
“These threats are borderless. A cyber threat originating thousands of miles away can destabilise institutions here at home within seconds,” he told delegates, underscoring the need for joint action among African states.
The PS said the continent suffers losses exceeding USD 4 billion annually due to cybercrime—figures that strain economies, weaken trust in digital systems and heighten risks for citizens and businesses alike.
A major hurdle, he added, continues to be anonymity on digital platforms, which criminals frequently exploit. Investigators across Africa struggle to trace malicious actors, slowing down justice processes.
Dr. Omollo urged countries to adopt secure and privacy-respecting digital identity systems that allow lawful tracing of cyber incidents without violating civil rights. He also called for stronger cooperation between states, improved forensic capabilities, and more investment in training for police officers, prosecutors, and judges.
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Kenya is already undertaking reforms to bolster its digital governance. Amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime Act and the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act are among the measures designed to strengthen protection of critical information infrastructure and improve handling of digital evidence.
The country is also working closely with international institutions to enhance law enforcement capacity, obtain modern investigative tools and align its cybersecurity frameworks with global standards.
Kenya’s youthful population—with a median age of 19—remains a central focus of these reforms.
PS Omollo warned that young people, though the most active online, often underestimate the risks associated with digital platforms, data theft and cyber manipulation. He urged greater investment in digital literacy, online safety education and awareness campaigns aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Throughout the conference, attending countries will exchange experiences and develop recommendations expected to guide regional efforts going forward. Delegates aim to leave Nairobi with a clearer understanding of cyber threats, more tools to counter them and actionable steps to enhance international cooperation.
Dr. Omollo said Kenya will continue working with global partners, particularly in Europe, to strengthen its defensive capabilities.
“Kenya looks to global partners, particularly Europe, for secure technologies that uphold safety, data privacy, and resilience,” PS Omollo stated.
The forum, he added, offers a critical opportunity to build a united continental approach to safeguarding Africa’s digital future, ensuring that the gains of digital transformation are protected for generations to come.
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