Kenya has launched a nationwide crackdown on digital piracy after the government estimated that illegal streaming, software piracy and unauthorized content distribution strip $708 million (KES 92 billion) from the economy each year and deny the Treasury about USD 131 million (KES 17 billion) in tax revenue.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo Gitau unveiled the government’s response after receiving the National Steering Committee on Digital Piracy report, which outlines a new enforcement strategy to curb commercial-scale copyright infringement.
“Piracy is not a victimless crime. It drains Kenya’s economy, deprives our youth of jobs, exposes consumers to cyber risks, and discourages investment in local creativity and innovation,” Kabogo said.
The report estimates that piracy drains USD 1.94 million (KES 252 million) from the economy every day, slashes income for musicians, filmmakers, authors, journalists, software developers and sports broadcasters, and exposes consumers to malware, fraud and identity theft. It also links organized piracy networks to transnational crime.
The government will create an inter-agency enforcement framework bringing together the Kenya Copyright Board, the Communications Authority, the Media Council of Kenya and the Copyright Tribunal to speed up investigations and enforcement. Authorities will prioritize illegal streaming of live sports and premium digital content.
Kabogo said the recommendations would drive “coordinated enforcement efforts, public awareness campaigns, policy reforms, and stronger partnerships with the private sector and international stakeholders.”
The government will also develop Kenya’s first National Policy on Digital Piracy and align the proposals with the Copyright and Related Rights Bill, 2026.The ministry estimates that stronger enforcement could create or sustain more than 50,000 jobs across Kenya’s creative and technology sectors.
“We are committed to implementing these recommendations with urgency, transparency and respect for constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and due process,” Kabogo said, adding that the government will also work with industry to expand access to affordable legal content alongside stricter enforcement.
