Kenya has celebrated a new generation of cybersecurity champions as the Cybergame 2025 Awards wrapped up at Utalii Hotel, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen digital resilience. Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, presided over the ceremony, praising the initiative for identifying and nurturing homegrown cyber talent at a time when threats in the digital space continue to escalate. He highlighted that the competition represents not only a learning platform but also a strategic tool for preparing Kenya’s future cyber defenders.
The awards capped a ten-week national competition that attracted close to 1,000 registered participants, with about 300 actively taking part in advanced challenges. Competitors ranged from secondary and university students to experienced industry professionals, all testing their skills across diverse areas such as digital forensics, malware analysis, open-source intelligence (OSINT), cryptography, offensive security and governance. According to PS Tanui, the diversity in participation demonstrated the depth of Kenya’s digital talent pool and reaffirmed the need to continue investing in youth-driven cybersecurity innovation.
This year’s ceremony drew high-level representation from government agencies and international partners, including the Slovak Republic’s Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-Habitat, H.E. Katarína Žuffa Leligdonová, ICT Authority Acting CEO Zilpher Owiti, and KoTDA CEO John Paul Okwiri. The event spotlighted top performers across multiple categories, with Stephen Waweru earning the prestigious Best Overall award and taking home a MacBook. Other standout achievers included Carlos Githui and Eve Maina, while the Youngest Star award went to Skylar Wamboi. Participants such as Calvin Ndichu, Ochieng George and Washington Adiado were honoured as all-rounders, alongside emerging young adults and seasoned industry professionals who demonstrated exceptional skill during the competition.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of ICT says Cybergame will continue to serve as a cornerstone in building a digitally secure Kenya. PS Tanui urged the winners to use their achievements as a springboard for further growth, noting that the country’s rising cybersecurity demands require continuous training and innovation. With growing interest from partners, sponsors and youth across the country, the programme is expected to expand in future editions—potentially establishing Kenya as a regional hub for cyber defence excellence and shaping a workforce ready to safeguard the nation’s digital ecosystem.