A 56-year-old Kenyan national has been arrested in Zambia over allegations that he was contracted to carry out cybercrimes targeting the state, as security agencies step up operations ahead of the country's general election.
The Kenyan is among several suspects detained by Zambian security agencies over an alleged scheme to interfere with the country's electoral system ahead of Thursday's vote.
Zambia's Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security reported that the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation involving the country's defence and security agencies to uncover efforts to undermine the electoral process.
"In a related development, the State has apprehended a Kenyan national identified as (name withheld), male, aged 56, who is alleged to have been contracted to engage in cyber-crimes targeting the State," the ministry stated in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12.
The ministry did not disclose the specific cyber activities the Kenyan is accused of undertaking or name those who allegedly contracted him. It added that investigations were ongoing.
The wider operation also led to the arrest of three former senior government officials accused of offering technical services allegedly intended to disrupt Zambia's electoral system.
Three other people were summoned to assist with the investigations after they were allegedly found in possession of more than K7.3 million, equivalent to approximately Ksh50.15 million.
Authorities noted that the source and intended use of the money had not yet been established. Through their lawyers, the three individuals indicated that they would only be available to assist investigators after August 14.
"Investigations have also identified sensitive military intelligence information on some of the electronic devices seized from the trio, raising further concerns regarding unauthorised access to protected information," the ministry added.
Zambian authorities have maintained heightened security as the country prepares for Thursday's elections, in which voters will elect the president, members of Parliament and municipal councillors.
President Hakainde Hichilema is seeking a second term in the August 13 election, with authorities warning that individuals found attempting to compromise national security, interfere with critical systems or disrupt the electoral process would face legal action.
The arrests come as Kenya's electoral body, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), faces pressure to ensure a transparent and credible election ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election.
In January this year, the IEBC hosted a delegation from Zambia's Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) for a peer-learning and benchmarking visit focused on electoral processes.
The development in Zambia could draw renewed attention to cybersecurity and the protection of electoral systems as both countries prepare for crucial elections.
