Kenya has moved to strengthen its defences against extremist financing with a high-level, five-day training in Nairobi, aimed at dismantling the money trails that sustain terrorist networks.
The programme, hosted by the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), brought together senior military officers, financial regulators, and legislators to sharpen skills in detecting and disrupting illicit flows.
Sessions covered cryptocurrency misuse, vulnerabilities in mobile banking systems, and cross-border money laundering tactics.
Major General Luka K. Kutto, the General Officer Commanding Eastern Command, told participants the fight was “not only on the battlefield, but in the ledgers and digital transactions that cross borders in seconds.”
Kenya’s role as a pioneer in mobile money has expanded financial inclusion but also exposed it to abuse by extremist financiers.
The training addressed these risks through forensic tools, stronger legal frameworks, and alignment with UN counterterrorism resolutions.
Experts warn the real test lies in implementation. “Workshops can light the spark, but its sustained political will and genuine collaboration with the private sector will keep it burning,” said one financial crimes specialist.
Authorities hope the initiative will position Kenya as a regional hub for counter-terror financing expertise having turned lessons learned in the seminar room into action in banks, regulators’ offices, and intelligence units.
