Kenya Establishes National Cybersecurity Agency as Cybercrime Risks Grow

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has announced the establishment of the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) following parliamentary approval of the National Cybersecurity Agency Order, 2026.

In a statement issued on June 22, 2026, the ministry said the new agency will serve as Kenya’s central regulatory and technical institution for coordinating national cybersecurity efforts and protecting the country’s digital infrastructure.

“The Ministry welcomes the parliamentary approval of the National Cybersecurity Agency Order, 2026, a key step in the establishment of a national agency to regulate and coordinate cybersecurity and strengthen the protection of Kenya’s digital infrastructure,” read part of the statement.

The agency was established through the National Cybersecurity Agency Order, 2026, issued by President William Ruto under the provisions of the State Corporations Act.

Ministry of Interior Announces Establishment of National Cybersecurity Agency

According to the ministry of interior,  the agency will operate as an autonomous body mandated to coordinate cybersecurity activities across both the public and private sectors.

The Ministry further argued that Kenya’s rapid adoption of digital technologies, including mobile money, digital financial services, e-government platforms, telecommunications, health information systems, education technology, and online commerce, has increased the country’s exposure to cyber threats.

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Therefore , the National Cybersecurity Agency Order will provide a coordinated national framework for preventing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cyberattacks.

Among its other key responsibilities will be the formulation and implementation of national cybersecurity strategies, auditing and certifying the resilience of critical information infrastructure, managing the National Cybersecurity Operations Centre, and coordinating responses to cybersecurity incidents.

It will further lead efforts to bridge Kenya’s cybersecurity skills gap through professional certification programmes, specialised training, and technical capacity-building initiatives.

Additionally ,the ministry of interior argued that the centre will help build a skilled workforce capable of addressing emerging cyber threats while supporting innovation in the sector.

Calls for Multi-Agency Board to Oversee Operations

To support a whole-of-government approach, the agency’s board will include representatives from key national institutions.

These include the Ministry of Interior, the National Treasury, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the National Intelligence Service, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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Representatives from academia and the private sector will also be included to strengthen collaboration and information sharing.

The Interior Ministry highlighted that cybersecurity is no longer solely a technical issue but a strategic national security, economic, and governance priority.

It noted that a secure digital environment is critical for protecting citizens’ data, ensuring business continuity, attracting investment, and supporting Kenya’s digital transformation agenda.

The government has called on public institutions, private sector organisations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to work closely with the new agency in building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital ecosystem for all Kenyans.

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A photo of Ruto at the statehouse. Photo/ Statehouse