Over 1,000 young professionals have graduated with cybersecurity and data protection skills under the Cyber Shujaa initiative, a unique programme designed to tackle the country’s widening digital security gap and create jobs for youth. The milestone was marked during the 5th Graduation Ceremony held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at USIU-Africa, Nairobi.
The training, spearheaded by United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) in partnership with Serianu Limited and the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA), comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with a sharp rise in cyber threats. Data from the Communications Authority shows cyberattacks surged by 201.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with 2.5 billion incidents recorded.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait, who represented ICT and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, said the programme underscores Kenya’s resolve to safeguard its digital economy. “Every innovation creates new vulnerabilities. Cyber Shujaa has provided an answer by building resilience, confidence, and skills among our youth,” she said.
Since its launch in March 2022, Cyber Shujaa has trained over 5,000 young people, placed more than 2,000 into jobs, and supported dozens to start businesses in cybersecurity. It has also trained 7,000 government employees, including staff managing the e-Citizen platform, on data protection and security.
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Zilpher Awiti, Acting CEO of the ICT Authority, described cybersecurity as a “national priority,” noting that the programme shows what can be achieved when academia, government, and industry collaborate. “Today’s graduates are not just securing systems, they are securing Kenya’s digital future,” she said.
The programme offers practical training in security analysis, cloud and network security, digital forensics, governance risk and compliance, and data protection. Graduates also earn internationally recognised certifications from institutions such as Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, EC-Council, ISACA, and CompTIA, positioning them for global opportunities.
Industry leaders say the need is urgent. Kenya currently has only 2,000 skilled cybersecurity experts against a demand of 40,000–50,000. Globally, the shortfall is estimated at 4.8 million professionals.
Serianu CEO William Makatiani, the programme’s lead implementer, said Cyber Shujaa has grown into one of Africa’s most impactful digital training initiatives. “We are proving that Africa has the talent to lead in one of the world’s most critical industries,” he said.
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USIU-Africa’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Amos Njuguna, highlighted the role of universities in bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry needs. “Cyber Shujaa provides hands-on training, mentorship, and research opportunities that directly prepare students for the job market,” he said.
The programme has also sought to address gender disparities in the sector, running bootcamps and mentorships for women. A recent report found that 36 per cent of firms surveyed in Kenya have no women in their cybersecurity teams, with roles such as digital forensics and ethical hacking especially hard to fill.
Looking ahead, Kassait called for cybersecurity to be mainstreamed into Kenya’s development agenda, expanded nationwide, and made more inclusive. “No country can afford to leave half its talent behind,” she said, urging greater investment in apprenticeships and positioning Kenya as a regional talent hub.
As Kenya accelerates its digital economy, from mobile money to e-government, the Cyber Shujaa programme is emerging as a model for turning technological risks into opportunities for jobs, innovation, and national resilience.
By Mercy Kokwon
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