Karanja Kibicho. Photo/Courtesy
Former Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has claimed that an attempt was made to hack his phone, questioning the amount of public money allegedly being spent on the exercise.
In a statement shared on social media on Saturday, August 15, Kibicho said those behind the alleged attempt would gain little from accessing his device, insisting that he is now a private citizen living a quiet life.
“This is a very expensive exercise. Damn expensive. Spare taxpayers' money. There are no secrets in my phone,” Kibicho said.
The former PS added that anyone seeking information from him could simply contact him directly instead of attempting to access his phone.
“I am a private citizen leading a quiet life. You could just place a call to me. It costs less than 10 bob,” he added.
Kibicho did not identify the individuals or organisation he believed were behind the alleged hacking attempt. He also did not provide technical details about how the attempted intrusion was detected or whether any information was accessed.
The statement comes days after Kibicho criticised the state of Kenya's economy under President William Ruto, drawing a comparison with the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, where he served as Interior PS.
Kibicho has remained an influential voice in discussions about the former Jubilee administration since leaving government following the 2022 General Election. During his tenure, he was one of the most senior officials in the Interior ministry and worked closely with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.
His criticism of the current administration has also placed him back in the political spotlight, particularly as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election.
Kibicho was one of the officials frequently mentioned during the political battles that characterised Uhuru's second term. Allies of Ruto previously accused him and other senior officials of using state machinery against the then-Deputy President, allegations he has denied.
Since leaving government, Kibicho has largely remained outside elective politics, although his comments on the Ruto administration and the legacy of the Uhuru government continue to attract public attention.
His latest statement raises questions about the security of communications involving former senior government officials, although there is no independent confirmation that his phone was successfully compromised or that any data was accessed.