The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an advisory to foreigners planning to travel to Kenya, as they are currently facing challenges with electronic visa applications and processing. These issues are suspected to be linked to a recent series of cyber attacks carried out by a Sudanese hacking group.
Despite initially attributing the problems to a “technical issue,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s statement comes shortly after the ICT Cs Eliud Owalo confirmed that government websites, including the E-Citizen platform hosting the e-Visa application, had indeed been hacked. The Sudanese hacking group, known as Anonymous Sudan, is believed to be responsible for targeting these websites.
In response to the cyber attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret, particularly for the inconvenience caused to foreign travelers who are unable to submit their e-visa applications through the affected E-Citizen portal. As a temporary solution, the government has advised that travelers will be issued visas upon their arrival at all entry points in Kenya. Additionally, airlines have been informed to allow passengers destined for Kenya to board flights without the e-visa requirement during this period of disruption.
To address the situation and ensure continued service provision despite the cyber attack, the Kenyan government is actively working on implementing new technological approaches. They have sent a memo to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya, assuring them of their commitment to resolving the issue and maintaining service standards.
The cyber attack itself has caused significant disruption, with various government websites, such as E-Citizen and Kenya Power, along with private companies’ facilities, experiencing downtime since July 24. This has impacted services such as driving license and passport applications, birth certificates, business registrations, marriage certificates, and certificates of good conduct for Kenyan citizens.
The Sudanese Anonymous group has claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that it is in response to comments made by Kenyan President William Ruto regarding the situation in Sudan, where violence has led to numerous casualties. However, the group has not provided specific evidence of the alleged Kenyan government involvement in the Sudanese conflict.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ communication was sent to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kenya, urging understanding and patience during this challenging time. The Kenyan government remains committed to resolving the cyber attack’s impact on service delivery and ensuring the safety and convenience of foreign visitors to the country.
