Financial Reporting Centre Director General Saitoti Maika during a past event/FILE




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The Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) has officially designated 13 individuals believed to be involved in terrorism and terrorism financing, issuing immediate targeted financial sanctions in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373. 

The move comes as part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and protect its financial system from abuse by criminal networks.

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The notice, issued February 4, 2026, follows the work of the Counter Financing of Terrorism Inter-Ministerial Committee, established under Section 40D of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), 2012. 

The committee identifies persons and entities suspected of funding terrorism and ensures their assets are frozen promptly, in line with both domestic law and international obligations.

"Following the decision by the Committee, the designated persons...are now subject to asset freeze and prohibition measures as stipulated in Regulation 15 of POT-TFR," the notice reads.

Under the Prevention of Terrorism (Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Suppression of Terrorism) Regulations, 2024 (POT-TFR), all funds or other assets owned or controlled by designated individuals are to be frozen without prior notice.

Institutions are also prohibited from providing any financial or economic resources to these individuals or to entities acting on their behalf, unless expressly authorised under law.

Their names have been added to Kenya’s Domestic List of persons and entities subject to targeted financial sanctions, publicly accessible on the FRC website under the “UNSCR 1373” tab.

Institutions are required to review accounts, transactions, and holdings that may involve the listed persons and take immediate action to freeze any connected assets. 

This includes funds wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the designated individuals, as well as assets derived from such funds.

In addition to freezing assets, institutions must refrain from making available any financial or economic resources, including services, to the designated individuals, entities they control, or persons acting on their behalf. 

Reporting institutions are required to submit reports within 24 hours of taking action, either confirming frozen assets or indicating that no matches were found. Non-compliance is a criminal offense under the POT-TFR.

Financial Reporting Centre Director General and Secretary to the Counter Financing of Terrorism Inter-Ministerial Committee, Saitoti Maika, emphasised the significance of swift compliance.

“This measure is critical to safeguarding Kenya’s financial system and ensuring it is not exploited by terrorist networks," he stated.

All institutions, whether banks, microfinance entities, or other reporting bodies, he said, must act quickly and comply fully with the notice. 

"Delays or attempts to circumvent the law will not be tolerated," he added.

Highlighting the preventive nature of the sanctions, Maika noted that these designations do not require proof that a specific terrorist act has been committed. 

"The objective is to cut off financial support to suspected networks before resources can be used for harmful purposes," Maika said.

On the role of reporting institutions, he further urged, “It is essential that all reporting entities actively monitor their systems and take immediate action when assets of designated persons are identified. Protecting Kenya’s financial sector is a shared responsibility.”

The targeted financial sanctions follow Kenya’s implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions on terrorism financing. 

UNSC Resolution 1373 obliges member states to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, freeze assets of individuals involved in terrorism, and ensure financial systems are not exploited. 

Kenya has incorporated these obligations into domestic law through POTA and POT-TFR, allowing authorities to act swiftly when credible evidence emerges.

Financial institutions, legal entities, and individuals are reminded that these measures are preventive and not tied to a conviction of a terrorist act. 

Maika warned that any attempt to circumvent these sanctions will be treated as an offense, with possible prosecution.

“This is part of a broader effort to protect the country and contribute to global measures against terrorism financing,” he said. 

“We urge all institutions and individuals to fully comply with the notice. Kenya’s financial system must remain clean and secure for everyone.”