Data breach in Kenya's Business Registration Service puts President Ruto and others at risk

·
February 3, 2025
·
2 min read
Data breach
  • Kenya's Business Registration Service (BRS) has confirmed a significant data breach that has exposed sensitive information of numerous private companies, including those associated with prominent figures such as President William Ruto and the Kenyatta family
  • The exposed data reportedly includes confidential details about company ownership, directorship, and beneficial owners, potentially compromising high-profile individuals' and businesses' privacy and security.
  • The cyberattack, believed to have occurred on the night of January 31, has raised serious concerns about data security within government agencies. 
  • The BRS has initiated investigations and notified relevant authorities, including cybersecurity experts and law enforcement agencies. 

The Business Registration Service (BRS) is a semi-autonomous government agency operating under the State Law Office in Kenya. It serves as the sole custodian of all company records and information for entities registered in the country, making it a critical repository of corporate information.

In response to the breach, BRS Director General Kenneth Gathuma stated that the organisation has strengthened its security protocols to safeguard systems and prevent future occurrences. He emphasised that investigations are ongoing, and the agency is committed to transparency throughout the process.

This incident underscores a broader trend of escalating cyber threats across Africa. Between Q1 2023 and Q3 2024, the continent faced numerous cyber threats, including attacks on critical infrastructure, data breaches, and online fraud. 

The increasing digitalisation of services has made African nations more vulnerable to such attacks, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures.

Advertisement

Kenya, in particular, has seen a surge in cyberattacks, with a reported 860 million incidents in a recent year. This alarming figure highlights the pressing need for comprehensive cybersecurity strategies and the implementation of stringent data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive information within government agencies and private enterprises.

READ MORE   Nigerian-born Moove receives $10 million for India expansion

In December 2024, Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprise (MSEA) was hacked with sensitive government and organisational data leaked and sold on the dark web. 

Per the Communications Authority of Kenya, the country lost approximately $83 million to cyber crimes in 2023, even detecting over 1.1 billion threats between April and June 2024.

According to a report by Recorded Future, a cybersecurity firm, more than 24 government agencies across various countries including Kenya, were targeted by the Chinese hacker group, RedJuliette. 

The BRS breach serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities present in current systems and the critical importance of proactive measures to protect against future cyber threats.

Let the best of tech news come to you
Join 30,000 subscribers who receive Techpoint Digest, a fun week-daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, directly in your inbox, hours before everyone else.
Digest Subscription

Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

PointAI
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Subscribe To Techpoint Digest
Join thousands of subscribers to receive our fun week-daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, directly in your inbox, hours before everyone else.
This is A daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, sent directly to your email inbox, between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m (WAT) every week day! 
Digest Subscription

Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Other Stories
43b, Emina Cres, Allen, Ikeja.

 Techpremier Media Limited. All rights reserved
magnifier