Hackers with Russian links breach IEBC systems ahead of August polls

dennis kibet

March 17, 2017 10:02 AM

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the hackers wanted to steal crucial information through accessing the commission’s servers last year.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed that there were attempts by hackers to breach its systems ahead of the August polls.

“Attempts were made but our systems were not penetrated because of secure firewalls and other security systems," Chebukati told a parliamentary committee led by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga.

However, Chebukati failed to reveal the identity of the hackers.

Opposition-cartel link

Last week, Majority of Leader in Parliament Aden Duale alleged a senior NASA politician was part of a cartel named in attempts to hack into IEBC's systems.

Duale said the person should be identified and arrested to avert plans to rig the August 8 poll.

"We need answers on whether the politician was also involved in the hacking of banks and whether proceeds of crime are being used to finance the individual’s activities," he said.

Detectives are said to be on the trail of key suspects said to be behind the well-organised gang reportedly working with two Russians and an American to develop codes to access IEBC data.

Russian connection

They are said to be investigating the intricate web of hackers say the politician had had frequent contacts with hackers.

One of the suspects in police custody who police identified as Calvin Otieno Ogola is said to have worked with two Russians and one American in putting together the codes which investigators claim could manipulate IEBC data.

Police handling the investigation said more details would be made available once a team of cyber-crime experts piecing together the pattern of the operation by the cartel is complete.

They said they had taken over the suspects’ laptops, mobile phones and other electronic equipment.

dennis kibet