Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the country’s leading investigative agency, fell victim to a cyber attack earlier today, raising serious concerns about the vulnerability of even the most secure institutions. The official Facebook and Twitter accounts of the DCI were hacked, turning the trusted platforms into a hub for cryptocurrency promotions and leaving Kenyans questioning their own online safety.
The breach, which occurred just hours ago, saw the DCI’s social media accounts—known for providing critical updates on criminal investigations and security matters—hijacked by hackers. Instead of the usual updates on crime prevention and public safety, the accounts were flooded with posts promoting cryptocurrency ventures, urging Kenyans to invest in what appeared to be a fraudulent scheme.
The incident sent shockwaves across the internet, with netizens expressing disbelief and concern. Social media platforms erupted with reactions as Kenyans questioned how the DCI, an institution tasked with safeguarding the nation’s security, could fall prey to such a brazen cyber attack.
In a swift response, the DCI managed to regain control of their accounts and issued a public statement addressing the breach.
“SECURITY ALERT! For some moments this evening, we experienced a cyber-attack on the DCI digital platforms (X and Facebook), but have since regained full control. During the short period, the cyber criminals who attempted to take over the accounts posted the information captured on the screenshot below. Note: The information is therefore FAKE and not from the DCI. A scrupulous interrogation into the criminal activity has been activated to bring to book the perpetrators,” the DCI announced.
The statement was accompanied by a screenshot of the unauthorized cryptocurrency posts, which have since been deleted. The DCI assured the public that an investigation into the breach is underway, with efforts focused on identifying and apprehending the hackers responsible.
However, the incident has left many Kenyans questioning the country’s cybersecurity. If the DCI, an institution expected to lead by example in implementing robust security measures, can be hacked, how safe are ordinary citizens and their personal accounts?
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