Mobile money transactions are at the centre of a large share of computer fraud cases reported in Kenya this year, with government data showing that the payment method featured in half of the cases reviewed.
The Interior Ministry said 51 out of 102 computer fraud cases examined between February and July 2026 involved mobile money as the payment method.
The figures were released on Monday following the 36th meeting of the National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4), chaired by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
The review showed that mobile money fraud itself made up 19 of the cases, representing 18.6 per cent of the total number examined.
Investment and forex scams followed, with 16 cases recorded, accounting for 15.7 per cent. Cryptocurrency-related schemes came next after being linked to 12 cases, equivalent to 11.8 per cent.
The Ministry also found that 23 of the cases had clear links to telecommunications services or SIM-related activity.
The number of cases reported also went up from May, with the Ministry indicating that 70 cases had been recorded by July, while 27 cases were reported in the period mentioned.
The increase has prompted the committee to consider stronger steps to deal with fraud carried out through mobile and other digital platforms.
Among the measures agreed on is closer scrutiny of transactions considered high-risk. The committee also wants evidence in fraud cases preserved more quickly and communication channels with telecommunications companies improved so that suspicious activity can be acted on without delay.
The committee further looked at ways of improving intelligence on investment, forex and cryptocurrency schemes, which continue to feature among the reported cases.
It also called for quicker action against fake websites and accounts created to impersonate other people or organisations.
Another area considered was the need for fraud cases to be classified in a more consistent way, making it easier to track the different forms of online crime being reported.
The Interior Ministry has warned people involved in fraud that they face action, saying complaints filed by victims will be investigated in accordance with the law.
At the same time, members of the public have been urged to take precautions when using mobile money and other online services.
The Ministry cautioned users against giving out their PINs, passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs) and other details used to confirm their identity or authorise transactions.
Users have also been encouraged to switch on multifactor authentication on platforms where the security feature is available.
The public has further been asked to report suspicious phone numbers, accounts, websites and transactions to service providers, regulators and law enforcement agencies.
The committee's latest measures are aimed at improving the way fraud is detected, reported and investigated, particularly as mobile money continues to feature heavily in the cases brought to the attention of authorities.