Corporate Kenya Shifts Focus to Political Risks, Boosts Security Spending for 2026

Kenyan businesses now rank political instability and civil unrest as the most pressing threats to their operations in 2026, overtaking longstanding economic concerns, according to the newly released World Security Report 2025.

The report, commissioned by global security firm G4S and its parent company Allied Universal, reveals that 45% of Kenyan chief security officers (CSOs) view political instability as their primary risk, with 43% citing civil unrest.

This comes months after nationwide, Gen Z-led demonstrations disrupted the economy and reshaped corporate risk assessments.

“The predicted easing of economic instability provides some room for optimism, but companies must continue building resilience through security upgrades, workforce safety and contingency planning,” said Laurence Okelo, Managing Director of G4S Kenya.

The data signals a clear change in priorities. While economic instability remains a concern, its perceived threat has fallen to 41%, down from 52% last year. However, its effects are still being felt; fraud, often a byproduct of financial pressure, was named the leading external threat by 41% of firms.

Kenya’s apprehension towards civil unrest is the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 21% of companies expecting to be directly affected by protests in the coming year. This fear is rooted in recent experience.

The report notes that nearly half (45%) of Kenyan businesses suffered revenue losses due to security incidents, with the retail and hospitality sectors particularly impacted. Furthermore, more companies in Kenya than anywhere else in the region reported increased insurance costs as a direct result.

The corporate sector’s anxiety is mirrored by institutional investors, who participated in the survey. They warned that a single major security incident could devalue a listed company by as much as 32%.

In response, Kenyan businesses are taking decisive action. A striking 79%—one of the highest rates in the region—plan to increase their physical security budgets. The strategic focus is on technology and intelligence, with top investment priorities being:

• New security technology and infrastructure (83%)

• Enhanced risk assessments (71%)

• Regulatory compliance (66%)

“Consistent with the 2023 findings, fraud is the dominating internal and external threat across the region, which can be tied back to economic instability,” said Christo Terblanche, regional president of G4S in Africa. “Despite these challenges, it is encouraging to see the planned investment in smart security infrastructure and AI-powered video surveillance.”

Broader Security Challenges

The report also highlighted other emerging threats, indicating a complex security environment. A significant 40% of Kenyan CSOs reported an increased threat of violence toward company executives over the past two years. Additionally, 78% stated their company had been targeted by a misinformation or disinformation campaign, with 40% noting that at least half of all threat actors are influenced by such campaigns.

The World Security Report 2025 is based on a global survey of 2,352 chief security officers from medium and large companies across 31 countries, with a combined annual revenue exceeding $25 trillion.

The findings include responses from 58 security leaders in Kenya and incorporate the perspectives of 200 institutional investors managing over $1 trillion in assets.