US Declares Kenyan Group as a Terrorist Organization

The United States has declared Kenya-based Islamic group Al-Hijra as a terrorist organization. 

Al-Hijra, a wing of Somalia-based militia group Al-Shabaab, was named in the latest list of terrorist organizations released by the US Department of State on Thursday.

"Terrorism designations expose and isolate organisations and individuals, and deny them access to the US financial system," the State Department said in explaining the Thursday move.

"Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of US agencies and other governments."

The Department of State said Al-Hijra was formed in 2008 in Nairobi. It further notes that the group "consists primarily of Kenyan and Somali followers of Al-Shabaab in East Africa."

"It has openly engaged in Al-Shabaab recruiting in Kenya and facilitated travel of Al-Shabaab members to Somalia for terrorism purposes."

It is believed that Kenyans affiliated with Al-Hijra were involved in planning of major terrorist attacks in Kenya in recent years by Al-Shabaab, including the Westgate Mall and Garissa University College attacks in 2013 and 2015 respectively.