Kenya Graduates New Wave of Cybersecurity Experts at Cyber Shujaa Ceremony

Ms. Immaculate Kassait, Kenya’s Data Commissioner, represented the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo, as the Chief Guest at the 5th graduation ceremony for the Cyber Shujaa program at the United States International University – Africa (USIU-Africa). The program, which has trained thousands of young Kenyans in cybersecurity, is a consortium effort by Serianu Limited, USIU-Africa, and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA).

In her address, Ms. Kassait lauded the initiative for its role in building the next generation of cybersecurity experts, highlighting its importance in strengthening Kenya’s digital resilience and protecting personal data. The program, which is Kiswahili for “Cyber Warrior”, aims to bridge the significant skills gap in the country’s cybersecurity workforce. According to a Cyber Shujaa report, Kenya recorded a 201.7% rise in cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with an estimated 2.5 billion incidents reported. Ms. Kassait challenged the graduates to become champions of data protection and cybersecurity in their future workplaces and communities. The program offers hands-on training and mentorship, equipping participants with skills in high-demand areas such as security analysis, cloud and network security, and data protection.

The collaboration between government, academia, and industry, as exemplified by the Cyber Shujaa program, has been hailed as a model for transforming youth unemployment into a source of national security and innovation. Ms. Kassait emphasized that the initiative is proof that with the right partnerships, Kenya can not only participate in the global digital economy but also lead in creating a secure and inclusive digital society.