DHAKA: Kenya on Tuesday closed over 500 non-governmental organisations, including 15 for alleged fundraising for terrorism, as part of a security crackdown following repeated attacks.

The government’s non-governmental organisation (NGO) coordination board said in a statement it had ‘de-registered 510 organisations for non-compliance with the law’, with some using their charitable status as a front for raising cash for terrorism.

‘Some NGOs have been and continue to be used for criminal activities, including as conduits of terrorism financing in Kenya and in the Horn of Africa,’ the statement read, which did not specify the names of such groups.

From the names of 510 listed, many appeared to be aid agencies and charities, with many closed for failing to provide financial audit returns, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2100 HRS, DEC 16, 2014