Kenya has recorded a staggering 201.7% increase in cybersecurity threats in the first quarter of 2025, with incidents surging to 2.5 billion, according to the latest report by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). This marks one of the sharpest quarterly rises in cyber threats in recent years, signaling growing vulnerabilities in key national infrastructure.
The increase from 840.9 million threats in Q4 2024 to 2.5 billion in Q1 2025 has sent shockwaves across the public and private sectors. The CA issued 13.2 million cybersecurity advisories, up 14.2% from the previous quarter, in an effort to curb the impact of the attacks.
“We are seeing an unprecedented scale and speed of attacks, driven largely by the integration of artificial intelligence in cybercrime tactics,” said a CA spokesperson. “Sophisticated malware, phishing, and DDoS attacks are increasingly automated and harder to detect.”
The World Economic Forum recently warned about the rapid evolution of AI-powered threats, and Kenya’s Q1 figures align with this global trend. Critical sectors including finance, telecommunications, and government systems have been the primary targets of this cyber onslaught.
- Cyber incidents (Q1 2025): 2.5 billion
- Cyber incidents (Q4 2024): 840.9 million
- Increase: 201.7%
- Advisories issued: 13.2 million (up 14.2%)
Cybersecurity experts warn that unless investments in digital defenses keep pace with the threat landscape, Kenya’s digital economy could be at significant risk.
“This is a wake-up call,” said cybersecurity analyst Grace Wambui. “As we adopt more digital services, we must also enhance real-time threat intelligence and cybersecurity awareness at every level.”
The Communications Authority emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, enhanced regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity training programs to tackle the growing threat effectively.
As Kenya continues its push toward digital transformation, securing its cyberspace has now become a matter of national security.
