Shadow economies financing terror activities, says NCTC boss

National Counter Terrorism Centre Director Ambassador Martin Kimani Macharia

Terrorists are fighting to seize control of territories to impose illegal taxes and collect proceeds from other organised transnational crimes to finance their operations. 

Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) Director Martin Kimani told a global counter-terrorism forum that terror networks are now concerned about controlling territories to gain grip of the economy by imposing illegal taxes and contraband trade.

“There is a clear nexus between terrorism and organised crime. Once terrorists have hold of territories, they are able to impose illegal taxes and smuggle contraband. We cannot allow terroriststo control territories,” he said.

Mr Kimani spoke during a two-day seminar convened by NCTC but organised by the Global Counter-terrorism Forum. The forum brings together 29 countries across the world.

Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya Frans Makken cited unemployment, low education and discrimination as the root causes of radicalisation among the youth.