Sudan Hackers Unleash Cyber War on Kenya

In a startling turn of events, a group of Sudanese hackers has claimed responsibility for a string of cyber attacks on Kenyan websites.
The hackers, known as Sudan Anonymous, have succeeded in taking down several high-profile sites, including key government portals like e-Citizen, as well as top companies. Their actions, they claim, are a direct response to what they perceive as Kenya’s meddling in the internal affairs of Sudan.
Though Sudan Anonymous has not provided concrete evidence of Kenya’s interference, they have made their intentions clear through a series of online posts. According to the group, their cyber offensive is a retaliatory measure against Kenya for its alleged involvement in Sudan’s troubled state. However, the exact nature of this involvement remains undisclosed.
The repercussions of these attacks have been felt throughout Kenya. Government websites, such as e-Citizen and NTSA, have experienced significant downtime since July 24. This prolonged disruption has had a detrimental effect on the functioning of essential services, including applications and renewals for driving licences, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, passports, and certificates of good conduct, among others.
A trusted source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to Kurunzi News, confirmed the extent of the hackers’ reach. They stated that the targeted websites included multiple government portals and prominent blue-chip firms. Indeed, even a leading media outlet found itself in the crosshairs of these cyber attacks. The motives behind this assault, according to the source, are directly linked to allegations of Kenya’s interference in Sudan’s internal affairs, particularly implicating President William Ruto’s government.
The attacks commenced on Monday, July 24, with the hackers successfully breaching the targeted websites and portals. The source revealed that efforts are currently underway to restore the affected sites. However, the vulnerability of government websites has been exposed, with the lack of proper web security buffers leaving them particularly susceptible to such incursions.
In contrast, private companies targeted by the hackers managed to restore their websites within a matter of hours, thereby minimising any potential disruptions to their services. This disparity highlights the pressing need for increased cybersecurity measures, as both public and private entities face ever-increasing threats in the digital world.
According to a source, the recent breach on the e-Citizen platform in Kenya has caused significant inconveniences for citizens who rely on its services. The government is collaborating with experts to enhance website security and prevent future attacks.
As a dedicated team of specialists works tirelessly to restore normalcy on e-Citizen, millions of Kenyans are at risk of missing out on over 5,000 government services that have transitioned online. Launched in 2014, this government-to-citizen (G2C) online platform has been repeatedly targeted by hacking groups.
Over the past three days, visitors to the e-Citizen page have been confronted with a message stating, “This page can’t be displayed. Contact support for additional information. The incident ID is N/A.” Furthermore, the Sudan Anonymous Hacker group has claimed responsibility for accessing sensitive data, including personal information belonging to Kenyan citizens.
Although the Government of Kenya has not confirmed the exact extent of this breach, sources close to the operation have revealed that experts are diligently working on restoring the portal and conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Strangely enough, unlike many other instances of technical breaches, the Sudanese Anonymous Hacker Group has not made any specific demands. This comes shortly after Sudanese General Yasir Al-Atta made baseless claims in a video challenging President William Ruto to engage in war due to alleged ties and support for Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Kenyan government has refuted the accusations and emphasised its commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan.
Since 2019, Sudan has been engulfed in a prolonged conflict following the ousting of its former president, Omar al-Bashir, during a popular uprising. This distressing situation has resulted in heightened tension, mass displacement, and an alarming loss of countless lives.