A Critical Analysis of the Challenges Facing Countercybercrime in 21st Century Africa: a Focused Comparison of Kenya and Rwanda

Abstract

This study endeavored to explore the challenges facing counter cybercrime in the 21st Century Africa by having a focused comparison of Kenya and Rwanda. Rwanda was picked on because she is doing better than Kenya in addressing these challenges. Counter cybercrime challenges have increased globally, regionally and even locally despite the efforts put in place to address this challenge. Given the serious nature of cybercrime, its international nature and implications it is evident that there is dire need for a common understanding of such challenges internationally, regionally and locally in order to deal with the challenge more effectively. This challenge needs global legislation and cooperation by all states; however as at now there is no such an effective legislation while cooperation is based on bilateral and multilateral relations among willing countries. Findings from other related studies indicate that counter cybercrime challenges in Africa and specifically in Kenya have kept on escalating making it difficult to investigate, prosecute and convict the perpetrators. This study aimed at revealing the existing gaps in addressing counter cybercrime in Africa and Kenya in particular. And suggest more effective ways of dealing with the identified challenges by borrowing from more successful countries internationally and Rwanda in particular. This study looked at the challenges affecting counter cybercrime both internationally and locally, and showing the extent to which international cooperation, initiatives and policies have succeeded in different jurisdictions. The ultimate objective here is to identify areas where improvement is needed. As part of the recommendations this study suggests that it is necessary to establish a universally recognized law that will apply equally internationally. In order to deal with various hazards posed by cybercriminals, this study recommends that parliament pass more rigorous and punitive regulations compared to the existing ones. A deliberate national education and awareness campaign on the impact of cybercrime is critical in lowering the country’s cybercrime rates.