Hon. William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Digital Economy (Centre), pose for a group photo with stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society during the National Multi-stakeholder Forum on Digital Piracy in Nairobi.
By Peace Muthoka
The government has convened a national forum bringing together regulators, broadcasters, telecommunications companies and creative industry players to tackle the growing threat of digital piracy in Kenya.
The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in Nairobi on March 12, 2026, focused on developing coordinated measures to curb piracy, which continues to undermine Kenya’s creative economy and digital ecosystem.
Participants warned that digital piracy is eroding tax revenue, denying creators their income and exposing consumers to serious cybersecurity threats.
Industry estimates from Partners Against Piracy show that digital piracy leads to about KES 17.38 billion in lost tax revenue every year. The practice also causes an estimated KES 92 billion in annual losses to the creative sector, including about KES 15 billion in direct income lost by local content creators.
Illegal streaming platforms, pirate IPTV services and unlicensed digital sites are also increasingly linked to cybersecurity risks. Experts say these platforms often expose users to malware, fraud, data theft and illicit financial activities.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the government is committed to protecting intellectual property and supporting the growth of Kenya’s creative industry.
He noted that the sector supports thousands of jobs and drives innovation in film, music, sports broadcasting and entertainment.
Kabogo warned that the rise of digital piracy threatens these gains and called for stronger collaboration across the digital ecosystem to develop practical solutions that protect creators and strengthen enforcement.
The forum brought together key government agencies including the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Kenya Copyright Board, alongside industry stakeholders and global anti-piracy groups.
Among the proposals discussed was the introduction of a structured IP blocking tool that would allow regulators and internet service providers to disrupt access to illegal streaming platforms and pirate IPTV services.
Industry players said the tool could be used especially during high-value live broadcasts such as major sports and entertainment events. They added that the system would operate under clear legal authorization and regulatory oversight to avoid blocking legitimate services.
Chairman of Partners Against Piracy, Mike Strano, said piracy continues to discourage investment in Kenya’s content industry.
He noted that piracy is not a victimless act because it denies creators their earnings and weakens the sustainability of the creative economy.
Acting Executive Director of the Kenya Copyright Board, George Nyakweba, said stronger copyright protection is key to ensuring creators are fairly compensated and that the sector continues attracting both local and international investment.
The Communications Authority of Kenya also stressed the need for close cooperation between regulators and telecommunications providers to address emerging risks linked to illegal streaming and digital piracy.
Speaking on behalf of Director General David Mugonyi, Assistant Director for Public Awareness and Empowerment Caroline Murianki said regulatory collaboration will be essential as Kenya’s digital ecosystem continues to expand.
The forum ended with a proposal to establish a multi-sector implementation taskforce to guide the next phase of action. The team will focus on strengthening inter-agency coordination, identifying enforcement priorities and developing practical measures to combat digital broadcast piracy more effectively.
