Political aides hacked by ‘Team Jorge’ in run-up to Kenyan election

Revelation shows dangers posed by bad actors and paid operatives in democratic systems across Africa

• Revealed: the hacking and disinformation team meddling in elections

An Israeli disinformation specialist hired to run covert dirty tricks campaigns in African elections hacked political advisers close to Kenya's president, William Ruto, in the run-up to last year's election, an investigation can reveal.

The interference did not prevent Ruto winning the poll, nor the peaceful transfer of power in Kenya, but the revelation highlights the growing risks posed by the involvement of bad actors and paid operatives in the relatively new democratic systems and institutions across Africa.