Kenya holds national orum to tackle digital piracy

The National Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Digital Piracy, organised by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, was officially opened by cabinet secretary William Kabogo Gitau. The forum aimed to address the growing impact of digital piracy on Kenya’s creative economy and overall digital sector.

“Kenya’s creative industry is a vital pillar of our digital economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving innovation across film, music, sports broadcasting and entertainment. However, the rise of digital piracy threatens these gains,” Gitau said.

He highlighted that Kenya already has legal frameworks such as the Copyright Act and regulatory institutions including the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO), but rapid technological changes and cross-border digital distribution continue to create enforcement challenges. According to estimates presented at the forum, Kenya loses approximately KSh 92 billion annually due to piracy, with KSh 17.3 billion (about $133.4m) in potential tax revenue also lost.

Industry representatives attending the forum included Mike Stano, Michael Schlesinger, Elena Blobel, and KECOBO Acting Executive Director George Nyakweba, alongside representatives from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK).

“Piracy is not a victimless act. It deprives creators of income, weakens the sustainability of the creative economy and discourages investment in local content production,” chairman of Partners Against Piracy Stano said.

Among the proposals discussed was a structured IP-blocking tool to allow regulators and internet service providers to restrict access to illegal streaming platforms and pirate IPTV services, particularly during high-value live broadcasts such as major sports events. The tool would operate under legal authorisation and regulatory oversight.

The forum concluded with a plan to establish a multi-sectoral implementation taskforce to guide enforcement efforts, promote inter-agency collaboration, and protect the rights of creators while supporting the growth of Kenya’s creative and digital economy.