Terrorism has become transcontinental and borderless, and there is an urgent need to integrate efforts to cut off the financial resources of terrorist organisations.

The Defence Cabinet Secretary, Soipan Tuya, yesterday said robust international cooperation was one of the effective ways of dealing with terror financing, adding that the groups needed funds for planning, recruitment and logistics.

“Kenya fully recognises the need for effective counter-terrorist financing efforts to be supported by strong international cooperation, information exchange, legal coordination, and continuous capacity development,” CS Tuya said.

CS Tuya warned that terrorist financing continues to fuel recruitment, planning, logistical support, and the carrying out of terrorist operations.

“Without addressing the financial sources that sustain these operations, counterterrorism efforts remain at risk. The partnership with IMCTC unites its member states around a common goal: countering extremism and violence in all its forms,” she added.

The CS was speaking during the launch of the training programmes initiative for curbing terrorism financing operations in Nairobi.

The event, organised by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), seeks to strengthen institutional and individual capabilities in combating financing and money laundering.

The Secretary General of the IMCTC, Maj. Gen Mohammed bin Saeed said collaboration and cooperation were the most effective way of dealing with terror, saying there was a need to leverage the resources and expertise of the member states.

He said the IMCTC’s strategy enables the implementation of initiatives aimed at capacity building and the training of specialists to enhance the readiness of institutions involved in counterterrorism.

He also warned that the rapid growth of digital technologies is now being used as primary tools by terrorist groups.

According to IMCTC, the terrorist groups have moved from practising direct violence to using digital tools to target communities by recruiting and attracting young people

The training will also be necessary to enable the agents to keep pace with rapid technological changes.

CS Tuya said the efforts are aimed at identifying the sources of financing terrorism and highlight future expectations and legislation related to digital financing, addressing traditional and non-traditional sources that represent a source of continued cash flow to finance terrorist operations in the world, whether through collecting and illegally transferring funds, smuggling, kidnapping, and exploiting charitable activities

The relevant agencies including the National Police Service, the national Intelligence Service (NIS), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) will be able to conduct proactive investigations to pursue those involved in supporting terrorism, freeze their financial assets, and impose penalties on them.