The Permanent Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, has emphasized the government’s dedication to advancing the nation’s digital economy while ensuring a secure and safe cyberspace.

Eng. Tanui, during the issuance of a Cyber Security Observance Brief, underlined the vast opportunities presented by the digital domain, including plans to roll out over 100,000 kilometers of digital infrastructure, digital service digitization, and the upskilling of the public workforce.

He also stressed the significance of data privacy and protection, particularly during Cyber Security Awareness month in October, stating, “As a government, we need to ensure that the right digital infrastructure, proper ICT policies, legislative frameworks, and clarity are in place to safeguard this space.” Notably, the government has enacted several policies and initiatives, such as the Data Protection and Privacy Act, 2019, the Kenya National ICT Policy, 2019, Digital Master Plan 2022 – 2032, and the National Computer and Cyber Crimes Coordination Committee (NC4) to secure the digital realm.

Eng. Tanui highlighted ongoing efforts to forge partnerships with local and global cybersecurity experts, collaborate with institutions like the Communications Authority and the ICT Authority, and urged citizens to exercise caution and digital skills to navigate the cyber landscape. He also encouraged individuals to seize the potential for jobs and wealth creation in the digital space. Cybersecurity remains a global concern, with a surge in cyberattacks, particularly targeting smaller businesses, as reported in the Hiscox cyber readiness Report 2023.