The official website of the Kenyan presidency has been taken offline following a cyberattack, with attackers demanding a ransom of five bitcoin to restore access.
The Kenyan government confirmed the breach, describing it as an incident that necessitated the temporary closure of the site to contain the threat.
The ransom demand highlights the escalating use of cryptocurrency as a payment mechanism in high-profile digital extortion attempts against state institutions.
The attack comes amid a broader intensification of cyber threats targeting both private and public sector entities globally.
While the immediate financial impact on Kenyan markets remains unclear, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in critical government digital infrastructure.
The use of bitcoin for the ransom aligns with trends observed in other major cyber incidents, where attackers leverage the anonymity and liquidity of digital assets to evade law enforcement.