Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s critical infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to hybrid warfare, combining cyberattacks, physical sabotage, and disinformation campaigns, according to a recent study by Joseph Owuondo, a security analyst affiliated with the National University, San Diego. The research, published in the National Security: A Journal of the National Defence University-Kenya, highlights escalating risks to the country’s undersea cables, energy pipelines, and digital networks, emphasizing gaps in preparedness across governmental agencies.
The study notes that Kenya’s existing national policy frameworks lack sufficient interagency coordination, resource allocation, and regional collaboration to effectively counter hybrid threats. Owuondo argues that these vulnerabilities could compromise national security, disrupt essential services, and destabilize economic and social systems if left unaddressed. Drawing on comparative international models, the research proposes an integrated strategy focusing on advanced surveillance, stronger public-private partnerships, and alignment with continental security agreements.
Experts say implementing these measures is vital for Kenya to strengthen resilience against hybrid attacks while contributing to regional stability. The study urges policymakers to adopt proactive, technology-driven approaches, improve intelligence sharing, and enhance emergency response capabilities. Hybrid warfare does not respect borders or conventional definitions of conflict, Owuondo notes. Kenya’s security infrastructure must evolve to anticipate and neutralize threats before they escalate into full-scale crises.
The findings serve as a call to action for Kenyan authorities and private sector stakeholders to prioritize infrastructure security, ensuring that critical networks remain safeguarded in an increasingly complex and interconnected threat landscape.