The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued an urgent warning to the public after its official X (formerly Twitter) account with over 300,000 followers was hacked by unknown criminals.
According to a statement from the authority, the hackers have changed the account’s handle from KRACare to “StandsX”, and are reportedly using it to post misleading content and engage unsuspecting members of the public.
KRA is urging Kenyans not to engage, share personal information, or send money in response to any messages or posts originating from the hacked account.
The authority clarified that all such communication is fraudulent and not associated with the official KRA platforms.
“We are working closely with X to retrieve and secure our official account. In the meantime, we advise the public to verify all communication through our verified channels,” KRA stated.
While efforts to restore the compromised account are ongoing, KRA assured Kenyans that official updates will continue to be shared through their verified communication platforms.
In July 2023, a hacking group dubbed Anonymous Sudan carried out a major cyberattack on the eCitizen portal ; the government’s central online platform that provides access to more than 5,000 public services.
The breach caused widespread disruption, forcing the government to temporarily allow visas on arrival for travelers who would ordinarily have applied for e-visas through the affected system.
The cyberattack also disrupted several critical services, including train-booking systems, electricity bill payments, and mobile-money banking services.
Millions of Kenyans who rely on M-Pesa for daily transactions while shopping , paying for public transport and settling hotel bills were unable to complete payments, leading to significant inconvenience.
The incident exposed the country’s growing dependence on digital infrastructure. With the government continuing to champion the use of online platforms for essential services and the increasing adoption of mobile money, the attack had a far-reaching impact.
According to recent statistics, about 76% of Kenyans use mobile money, while 67% access the internet via mobile devices.