A swift raid has dismantled the popular pirate streaming site score808.US, disrupting a major hub of unauthorised sports streaming across Kenya and beyond.

Conducted on Tuesday in Nairobi's Makadara Sub-county, the operation brought together inspectors from the Kenya Copyright Board (KECOBO) and officers from the National Police Service, resulting in the arrest of the site’s suspected mastermind.

Boasting over 21,000 active users and attracting 27.6 million unique visitors globally from October 2023 to September 2024, score808.US was a central source for pirated content from top leagues, including the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, streamed via channels like Sky Sports and SuperSport.

Kenya alone contributed nearly 8.85 million visitors, accounting for 32.08 per cent of total traffic, with significant numbers also from South Africa and Nigeria.

The raid not only shut down the platform, but authorities seized its backend database, along with the suspect’s mobile phone and laptop, which were used to run the site.

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These items are now under forensic review by the Police Cyber Crime team, with further arrests expected as the investigation unfolds.

KECOBO’s Acting Executive Director, George Nyakweba, expressed strong support for the operation, saying, “We fully support all rights holders in protecting their intellectual property. It is KECOBO’s mandate to assist rights holders in safeguarding their rights in Kenya. Such raids are crucial in preserving the integrity of the works of the creatives.”

Frikkie Jonker of Irdeto, a global leader in digital platform security, lauded Kenyan authorities for their work.

“This is part of our ongoing strategy to address piracy in all its forms across the African continent. We commend the Kenya Copyright Board and the National Police Service for their excellent work in this operation," Nyakweba stated.

"Their dedication to combating piracy is invaluable in protecting the rights of legitimate content owners.”

The takedown marks a crucial win, as piracy not only robs creators of revenue but deprives the government of vital tax income needed for public services.

By disrupting score808.US, authorities have struck a blow against illicit streaming, safeguarding Kenya’s creative industry and securing vital revenue for the nation’s growth.