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Kenya investigates hack of president's website demanding bitcoin ransom

Kenya is investigating a cyberattack that defaced President William Ruto's official website with a ransom demand of five bitcoins. The attackers claimed this was their third warning to the president, though no sensitive data has been compromised according to government officials.

Key points

  • President's website defaced with ransom demand for five bitcoins.
  • Access restored; no sensitive data breached, says government.
  • Past similar incidents indicate ongoing cybersecurity threats.

Cyberattack Details

The cyberattack occurred on Saturday, when the homepage of President William Ruto's official website was replaced with an anti-government message.

The message demanded a ransom of five bitcoins (approximately $330,000) and included a cryptocurrency wallet address.

Government Response

Cabinet Secretary for Information and Communications, William Kabogo, confirmed the attack and stated that the investigation is ongoing.

Access to the website was temporarily restricted for forensic analysis, and the government claims no sensitive information was accessed or leaked.

Past Cyber Incidents

This incident is not isolated; in November 2025, a coordinated cyberattack disrupted several Kenyan government websites, resulting in similar defacements.

Authorities have emphasized the need for strengthened cybersecurity in light of these repeated attacks.

Conclusion

The investigation into the recent cyberattack reflects ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by Kenya.

While access to the president's website has been restored, the event raises concerns about the resilience of governmental digital infrastructure.

✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →

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Reporting from

Kenya is investigating a cyberattack that defaced President William Ruto's official website with a ransom demand of five bitcoins. The attackers claimed this was their third warning to the president, though no sensitive data has been compromised according to government officials.