Kenya probes hack of president's website after bitcoin ransom demand
Kenya’s presidential website was hacked, with attackers demanding a ransom of five bitcoins in exchange for not releasing sensitive information. The incident follows a previous coordinated attack in November 2025, highlighting ongoing cyber threats targeting Kenyan government systems. Authorities have stated that no sensitive data was compromised.
Kenya’s presidential website was temporarily defaced with an anti-government message and a cryptocurrency wallet address, demanding a ransom of five bitcoins (approximately $330,000) to prevent the release of unspecified information. The attack occurred on Saturday and was followed by a restoration of website access by Monday. Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo confirmed the incident and stated that government cybersecurity teams were investigating. He also indicated that no evidence of unauthorized data access, data exfiltration, or information loss had been found.
This is not the first cyber incident involving Kenyan government websites. In November 2025, a coordinated attack disrupted multiple government websites, including those of the presidency and several ministries, such as interior, health, education, energy, labor, and water. The attackers displayed white supremacist slogans on these ministry websites, including "We will rise again," "White power worldwide," and "14:88 Heil Hitler."
Authorities are currently investigating the latest attack to determine the identity of the perpetrators and assess any potential damage. The incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and investment in cybersecurity infrastructure within Kenya.