The Kenyan government will roll out digital signatures in the next two months to ensure an online identity and verification system to enhance security for online transactions.
Speaking at the African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) at the Multimedia University in Nairobi, Fred Matiangi, cabinet secretary of information and communication technology, said the digital certificates will be issued by Accredited Certification Authorities through the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK).
“Government is in the process of establishing a national public key infrastructure (PKI) in the next two months for the creation, storage and distribution of digital certificates,” Matiangi said.
“I hope this forum will highlight the need for secure, reliable, efficient and effective way of curbing cybercrime in the region.”
The digital certificates will be used as online identity cards and will be used in all online business transactions.
“This is born out of the need to ensure that we are fully prepared and in a position to deal with emerging issues concerning cyber security,” Matiangi said.
Companies and individuals using Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) online services to file tax returns or apply for Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) will from then be required to acquire electronic signatures before they are allowed to transact.
