Kenyan arrested in Zambia over alleged cyber plot to disrupt electoral system

A 56-year-old Kenyan national has been arrested in Zambia over allegations of being contracted to engage in cybercrimes targeting the state, as security agencies intensify operations ahead of the country’s general election.

The Kenyan is among several suspects arrested by Zambian security agencies over an alleged plot to interfere with the country’s electoral system ahead of Thursday’s elections.

Zambia’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security said the arrest followed an intelligence-led operation conducted jointly by the country’s defence and security agencies to uncover attempts to undermine the electoral process.

“In a related development, the State has apprehended a Kenyan national identified as (name withheld), male, aged 56, who is alleged to have been contracted to engage in cyber-crimes targeting the State,” the ministry said in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12.

The ministry did not provide further details on the alleged cyber activities or identify the individuals who allegedly contracted the Kenyan, but said investigations into the matter were ongoing.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of three former senior government officials who are accused of providing technical services allegedly aimed at disrupting Zambia’s electoral system.

The three former officials were taken into custody, while three other individuals were summoned to assist with investigations after they were allegedly found in possession of more than K7.3 million (about Ksh50.15 million).

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According to the ministry, the source and intended purpose of the money had not been established, with the three individuals indicating through their lawyers that they would only be available to assist investigators after August 14.

“Investigations have also identified sensitive military intelligence information on some of the electronic devices seized from the trio, raising further concerns regarding unauthorised access to protected information,” the ministry added.

Zambian authorities said security agencies remained on high alert as the country prepared to hold elections on Thursday, with voters set to elect the president, members of Parliament and municipal councillors.

President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in the August 13 election, with authorities warning that anyone found attempting to compromise national security, interfere with critical systems or undermine the electoral process would face legal action.

This comes as, at home, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is under pressure to deliver a transparent and credible election in next year’s August 10 General Elections. 

Ahead of the elections in Zambia, IEBC hosted a delegation from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on a peer learning and benchmarking tour in Kenya in January this year.

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