NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has unveiled plans to establish a specialized digital intelligence unit to combat rising online abuse, cybercrime, and misinformation, according to the latest Annual Report on the State of National Security.
The initiative, tabled in Parliament by President William Ruto, aims to enhance surveillance of digital platforms and strengthen rapid response protocols amid growing concerns over online propaganda, hate speech, and unrest.
“Going forward, the government intends to enhance law enforcement efforts by introducing suburb-level patrols, establishing a dedicated digital intelligence unit and rapid response protocols, as well as developing legal frameworks for digital policing,” the report reads.
The move follows the enactment of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2024, which grants authorities broad powers to block websites and apps considered threats to national security, including those promoting terrorism, pornography, or extreme religious practices.
The law has sparked concerns over potential restrictions on freedom of expression, though President Ruto insists it is designed to protect Kenyans from cybercrime and online harassment.
The report also highlights that Kenya experienced its highest number of protests in over 30 years between September 2024 and August 2025, with 2,005 demonstration events recorded.
July 2024 alone saw 250 protests, many of which escalated into violence, looting, and property destruction.
Security forces responded to the unrest with arrests and enforcement measures, resulting in 1,732 arrests, 42 civilian deaths, 66 injuries, and damage to government property and public infrastructure. Meanwhile, police personnel sustained 496 injuries during operations.
President Ruto emphasized that while Kenyans’ right to peaceful assembly is constitutionally protected, “protest mobilisers disregarded statutory procedures such as the requirement to formally notify the police of planned demonstrations, creating security gaps that criminal gangs exploited.”
To address these challenges, the government plans to bolster modern surveillance, intelligence technologies, and non-lethal crowd control methods, alongside youth empowerment programs such as Kazi Majuu and Climate Worx, and initiatives to compensate victims of demonstrations.
However, critics, including former presidential candidate Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, have filed petitions seeking to overturn the cybercrime amendments, arguing that they could grant the government unchecked powers to surveil and silence dissenting voices.
As the government moves to strengthen digital and physical security measures, Kenya faces the delicate balance of protecting national security while safeguarding constitutional freedoms.
