Kenya in partnership with the European Union (EU) has launched the Kenya Cyber Resilience project to strengthen the security ecosystem of the cyberspace.
The project dubbed ‘Strengthen the Resilience of the Cybersecurity Ecosystem of Kenya (KCR)’ supports Kenya in strengthening its national cybersecurity ecosystem to ensure a secure, resilient and trusted digital environment for citizens, public institutions and businesses.
Kenya’s digital transformation has expanded access to e- services, mobile payments and online platforms, but it has also heightened the country’s exposure to cyber risks in the rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
Fragmented governance, limited operational capacities and low public awareness of cyber hygiene remain major challenges to secure the digital ecosystem and the project seeks to address these gaps and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity resilience.
Funded by the European Union (EUR 3 million) over 36 months, the project aims to contribute to the creation of a safer, more inclusive, and trusted cyber space in Kenya marking a significant milestone in safeguarding the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Speaking during a high-level event and the first Steering Committee meeting held in Nairobi on Monday Principal Secretary (PS) for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke who was the Chief Guest, underscored Kenya’s global leadership in digital innovation, citing landmark achievements such as mobile money innovation, the digitization of over 20,000 government services and the growth of the Silicon Savannah at Konza.
“Kenya’s digital transformation has expanded access to electronic services and online platforms, but it has also heightened our exposure to sophisticated cyber risks that are constantly evolving” he said.
Isaboke said that the scale and speed of digital transformation have also increased Kenya’s exposure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, making cyber resilience a national priority.
He emphasized that the project directly addresses these risks by strengthening governance, institutional coordination and public awareness, while protecting critical digital infrastructure.
“Cyber resilience is not a ‘tech problem’ it is a national priority. It is the prerequisite for our economic growth and the guardian of our democratic values” he said, adding that cyberspace knows no borders, and therefore, resilience cannot be built in isolation.
PS Isaboke highlighted the project’s focus on refining national cybersecurity policy, supporting the designation and protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, and enabling the establishment of a National Cybersecurity Agency to provide strategic leadership during cyber incidents and future crises.
Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui reaffirmed that cybersecurity is now a foundational requirement for Kenya’s economic growth, public trust and national stability.
PS Tanui noted that digital public services, financial systems, communications networks and data infrastructure have become integral components of Kenya’s critical national infrastructure.
“Cyber threats today are faster, more complex, and more interconnected across sectors. This is why coordination, standardization, and shared operational frameworks are no longer optional, they are essential” he said.
Tanui explained that the project is fully aligned with existing national frameworks, including the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the Digital Master Plan, and is designed to operationalize the Government’s long-term digital ambitions.
He highlighted that the project was developed through extensive consultations with national stakeholders to ensure it responds to real institutional needs and priorities.
He said that a strong emphasis will also be placed on public awareness and inclusion, with roll out of nationwide cyber hygiene campaigns, with particular focus on women, youth and users of digital public services, supported by an interactive online platform offering training, certification and awareness tools.
Head of the cooperation of European Union Delegation to Kenya Jorge Pereiro said that through this initiative, the European Union reaffirms its long-term commitment to supporting Kenya’s digital transformation in a secure, inclusive and sustainable manner, and to reinforcing cyber resilience as a foundation for development, stability and trust.
“Cybersecurity underpins trust in the digital economy and the delivery of public services. With Kenya’s rapid expansion of e-government services, digital payments and online platforms, strong cyber resilience is vital to protect critical information infrastructure, maintain service continuity and safeguard citizens’ rights,” said Pereiro.
The KCR project is implemented by Expertise France in grant partnership with Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), in close coordination with Kenyan authorities to ensure national ownership and sustainability.
The project is structured around three complementary pillars: strengthening legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for cybersecurity; enhancing national and sectoral operational capacities for cyber incident prevention and response and promoting cybersecurity awareness, inclusion and trust, with particular attention to women, youth and public service users.
The first Steering Committee meeting marked an important milestone in the governance of the project, with the validation of the project’s work plan and next milestones. The Steering Committee, co-chaired by the European Union and the Ministry, will provide strategic guidance and ensure effective coordination throughout the implementation period.
By Anita Omwenga
