China Hits Back: Denies Hacking Kenyan Government amid Debt Controversy
Wednesday, May 24th, the Chinese government distanced itself from allegations that it infiltrated systems and departments to obtain information regarding Kenya’s debt status.
The Chinese Embassy in Kenya issued a statement dismissing the reports as misleading.
The Embassy insisted that reports alleging Chinese hacking of Kenyan government departments lacked verifiable evidence.
While refuting the reports, China stated that it had been the target of cyberattacks and that its laws prohibit the intrusion of private information and accounts.
less, implausible, and utter nonsense. “Hacking is a threat to all na
“The false report in question is bastions, and China has also been the target of cyber attacks,” China stated.
“China consistently and vehemently opposes and combats all forms of cyber attacks and cyber theft. Tracing the origin of cyber attacks is a difficult technical challenge. In addition, it is a highly sensitive political issue to attribute a cyber attack to a specific government without solid evidence, the embassy stated.
The Asian economic titan lamented that the reports aimed to sabotage the positive diplomatic ties between Beijing and Nairobi.
China, a member of the G20, decried the threat that sustained attacks and allegations posed to their 60-year-old, mutually beneficial partnership.
Despite funding numerous projects in the country, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Thika Super Highway, and Nairobi Expressway, China insisted it was eager to strengthen ties with the administration of President William Ruto.
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“Whether the cooperation between China and Kenya is beneficial or not, the two nations’ citizens have the greatest say. The Embassy asserted that any attempt to sow discord between China and Kenya is doomed to fail and will only bring shame to the perpetrator.
The Report’s Findings
Reuters, a global media outlet, published a report that accused Chinese hackers of targeting the government due to its escalating debt.
According to Reuters, the hackers targeted government ministries and agencies. It was alleged that the hackers violated Privacy and Data rules by monitoring the systems for years.
The report stated in part, “At least in part, the hackers sought information on the East African country’s debt to Beijing.”
Response of China to Setting Debt Trap
The accusations arose after China refuted rumors that it was luring Kenya into debt traps.
In a statement dated Monday, April 10, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, insisted that China was Kenya’s development partner.
Wang praised the partnership between Kenya and China, noting that it contributed to the reduction of the poverty index and the promotion of infrastructure growth.
Wang stated, “China is not a source of debt traps for African nations, but rather a partner lifting them out of a poverty trap.”
In December 2022, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reported that the country’s debt stood at Ksh9.145 trillion.
In addition, according to data released by the National Treasury on May 20, 2023, China owed Kenya a total of Ksh793 billion.
However, President William Ruto decided to implement various projects in the country through Public-Private Partnerships.
China Hits Back: Denies Hacking Kenyan Government amid Debt Controversy
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