Kenya has officially declared the Muslim Brotherhood and Hizb-ur-Tahrir as terrorist organizations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Cap. 59B). The announcement was made through Legal Notice No. 157 of the Kenya Gazette Supplement on September 19, 2025, by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The order, titled the Prevention of Terrorism (Declaration of Specified Entities) Order, 2025, took immediate effect. It criminalizes membership, fundraising, propaganda, or any form of support connected to the two groups.
What powers does the law give authorities?
Under Section 3(3) of the Act, the state can freeze assets, ban meetings, and prosecute individuals associated with proscribed organizations. Security agencies are also empowered to investigate suspected cells, request extended detention under court supervision, and dismantle financial or logistical networks tied to these groups.
The declaration aligns Kenya with countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Russia, which have already blacklisted the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the Brotherhood is considered a driving force behind modern political Islam, with branches spread across the Middle East and North Africa.
Why did Kenya take this step now?
The decision comes in the context of Kenya’s long battle with terrorism, especially against al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based al-Qaeda affiliate. Over the past decade, the country has suffered major tragedies such as the 2013 Westgate Mall siege, the 2015 Garissa University massacre, and the 2019 DusitD2 hotel attack.
In response, Kenya has expanded military operations in Somalia, improved border security, and launched deradicalisation programs. Authorities credit these measures with reducing urban terror incidents. By outlawing new extremist groups early, the Interior Ministry aims to consolidate these gains and prevent future attacks.
The Gazette notice states that the declaration has no expiry date and will remain valid unless overturned by a court. With these tougher legal tools, Kenya signals its determination to block extremist networks before they gain a foothold, reinforcing its role as a frontline state in the global fight against terrorism.
By Risper Akinyi