Kenya has officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood and Hizb ut-Tahrir as terrorist organizations under the 2025 Prevention of Terrorism Order, according to a Gazette notice dated September 19.
The declaration was issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who stated that the order will remain in effect indefinitely unless revoked by his office or overturned by a court ruling.
“The entities specified in the Schedule are declared to be specified entities under section 3(3) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act,” the notice reads in part.
“The declaration shall remain in force until it is revoked by the Cabinet Secretary or by order of the court.”
The move criminalizes any form of support, funding, or operation of the two groups within Kenyan territory.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is a prominent Sunni Islamist movement with a global presence.
The organization promotes a blend of religious, social, and political activism rooted in Islamic principles, advocating for governance based on Islamic law.
While it has participated in political processes in some countries, it has also faced accusations of fostering extremism and has been banned in several nations, including Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.
Hizb ut-Tahrir is an international Islamist political group that seeks to re-establish a global Islamic caliphate.
It operates in multiple countries and is known for using political mobilization and digital platforms to propagate its ideology.
Though it claims to be non-violent, its anti-democratic goals have led to bans in various jurisdictions. In addition to Kenya, the United Kingdom and India have also outlawed the organization.
The designation of these groups as terrorist entities significantly increases Kenya’s counterterrorism enforcement capabilities.
It allows authorities to freeze assets, arrest individuals associated with the organizations, and prosecute anyone found to be supporting them.
This step aligns Kenya with several other countries that have taken a firm stance against groups perceived to be a threat to national and international security.
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