Hacking Claims Addressed: Govt’s Response to Data Theft Allegations
Cabinet Secretary of Information Eliud Owalo has verified that there were attempts to hack into critical digital infrastructure, but the government has since restored all systems, including e-Citizen, which houses over 5,000 services.
Owalo stated, during the introduction of a free Wi-Fi service in Homa Bay, that hackers did not access any information from the platforms, contrary to rumors that the group had stolen Kenyans’ personal information.
During the four-day hacking spree, Sudan Anonymous, which claimed responsibility for the attacks, claimed to have gained access to the confidential information of Kenyans.
E-Citizen includes the addresses, ID numbers, dates of birth, occupations, and biometric information of millions of Kenyans.
The attacks were the largest in Kenya’s history, although the country experienced other data intrusions earlier this year, most of which targeted government websites and parastatals.
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The country’s annual losses from harking and other cybercrimes are among the highest in the region.
As Kenya’s digital infrastructure grows, so do the threats it confronts.
The cyber attacks early in the week made it difficult for Kenyans to register for services such as driver’s licenses, birth certificates, passports, and company registrations.
Foreigners were unable to register for e-visas, as the majority were instructed to travel and process the essential document at entry points.
The attacks have raised concerns about the nation’s readiness to counter cyberattacks, particularly those that target state infrastructure.
While private companies responded effectively and kept the criminals at bay, the government was caught off guard and struggled to respond promptly.
As a result, the country was subjected to intermittent service, which disrupted the processing of vital documents, some of which were already months behind schedule.
Hacking Claims Addressed: Govt’s Response to Data Theft Allegations
