Kenya has taken a major step in strengthening its digital security systems after Parliament approved the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), a new body expected to coordinate the country’s response to rising cyber threats.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed the development in a statement issued on June 22, saying the agency will operate as an autonomous technical and regulatory institution tasked with safeguarding Kenya’s digital infrastructure.
According to the Ministry, the move is aimed at protecting systems that support national security, public services, economic activity, and the day-to-day digital interactions of millions of Kenyans.
“The establishment of the Agency marks a significant step in Kenya’s efforts to secure its rapidly expanding digital ecosystem and safeguard critical information infrastructure,” the statement read in part.
The approval follows a government proposal that sought about Ksh4 billion to set up the agency, which was presented to Parliament as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s response to growing cyber risks.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the creation of the agency comes at a time when cyber threats such as fraud, ransomware attacks and data breaches are on the rise, with critical infrastructure increasingly being targeted.
He noted that Kenya is now among the most targeted countries in Africa, a trend he linked to the rapid expansion of digital systems and the increased use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
When the agency starts operating, it will be in charge of overseeing the implementation of cybersecurity strategies at the national level and coordinating the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre and other sector-based security teams within different agencies.
The agency will also carry out audits and certifications, vulnerability assessments, issuance of technical advisories and coordination of efforts in responding to any cyber incident that might happen in the country.
Furthermore, it will establish the Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence that will not only support research and innovations in cybersecurity but also offer training to mitigate the problem of shortage of experts in digital security.
National Cybersecurity Agency has now become an established entity in the country with the signing of the National Cybersecurity Agency Order, 2026 by President William Ruto on May 15, 2026. This order allows the establishment of a multi-agency governing board.
This board will consist of members from the National Treasury, ICT Ministry, Attorney General’s Office, Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in addition to private sector experts and academics.
In light of Kenya’s increasing dependence on technology platforms including mobile payments, e-governance, e-commerce, and even online learning systems, the new agency will be key in determining future approaches to handling cyber risks in the country.
The development also signals a shift toward tighter government coordination and oversight of the country’s digital space as threats become more complex and frequent.