Kenya suffers an estimated annual loss of Sh92 billion due to digital piracy, according to a recent report from the National Steering Committee on Digital Piracy. The report, presented to Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, highlights the urgent need for robust enforcement and legislative reforms.

Cabinet Secretary Kabogo revealed that digital piracy not only causes daily losses of about Sh252 million but also deprives the government of approximately Sh17 billion in tax revenue each year. The illicit activity impacts a wide range of sectors, including music, film, publishing, software development, and sports broadcasting, while also exposing consumers to risks such as malware, fraud, and identity theft.

Impact and Recommendations

  • The report links digital piracy to transnational organized crime, underscoring the scale of the problem.
  • It estimates that decisive action could create or sustain over 50,000 jobs within Kenya's creative and technology industries.
  • Recommendations include establishing an Inter-Agency Digital Piracy Enforcement Framework coordinated by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy alongside key regulatory bodies.
  • The framework aims to ensure timely handling of piracy cases while respecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and intellectual property protections.
  • Enhanced measures to protect live sporting events and premium content, along with stricter penalties for repeat commercial offenders, are also proposed.

Next Steps

The ministry plans to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign and develop a National Policy on Digital Piracy through a multi-stakeholder process. Additionally, the government will collaborate with the Attorney-General and the Kenya Copyright Board to align legislative amendments with the ongoing public consultation on the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026.

Cabinet Secretary Kabogo emphasized the government's commitment to supporting creators, enforcing anti-piracy laws, and working with the industry to make legal digital content more accessible and affordable for Kenyans.