Kenya is grappling with a cybersecurity crisis following a recent cyber attack by a hacking group known as Anonymous Sudan. The attack targeted various government websites, including the E-Citizen online application platform, resulting in its collapse and disrupting essential services.
As a precautionary measure, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that all foreign travellers will now be granted visas on arrival until the online visa application system is fully restored.
The cyber incident has raised concerns about data security and the potential implications for travellers seeking entry into the country. Although authorities have confirmed that no data was compromised during the attack, the disruption has prompted the government to take immediate action.
Speaking on the situation, ICT Cabinet Secretary Mr. Eliud Owalo revealed, “There was a cyber-attack on the E-Citizen platform, but no data was accessed or lost.
We are addressing that, and we are not just coming up with instant remedial measures to address the current situation but are also ensuring that we build an elaborate risk mitigation framework.”
He added, “In this instance, they tried jamming the system by making more requests into the system than ordinary, which led to the slowing down of the system.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been quick to address the issue, acknowledging the challenges faced by electronic visa applications.
The E-Citizen platform, which hosts the e-Visa application system, has been among the targeted websites, leading to disruptions in visa processing for foreigners.
In light of the cyber attack and technical difficulties, Foreign Affairs Ministry PS Korir Sing’Oei stated, “Therefore, travellers will be issued a visa upon arrival at all entry points to Kenya. The Government also wishes to advise all airlines to onboard travellers destined for Kenya.”
The cyber attack has affected multiple government websites, including Kenya Power and several private companies, causing downtimes and impacting services for Kenyan citizens.
Consequently, applications and renewals for driving licenses, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, passports, and certificates of good conduct have been affected since July 24.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to foreigners who were unable to submit their e-visa applications through the E-Citizen portal. They assured that new technological measures are being put in place to ensure uninterrupted service provision despite the cyber attack.
The Kenyan government is taking the incident seriously and working diligently to restore the E-Citizen platform while enhancing its cybersecurity measures.
By granting visas on arrival, the government aims to facilitate smooth travel for foreign visitors until the online visa application system is fully operational.
As Kenya deals with the aftermath of this cyber incident, authorities are determined to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure and establish comprehensive risk mitigation strategies to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to providing diplomatic missions and international organizations with the necessary assurances to ensure smooth interactions amid the ongoing challenges.