RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition on Thursday announced that Kenya had joined as a member state, increasing the number since its inception to 42. Following the announcement, the Kenyan flag was flown at the headquarters of the coalition next to the other 41 flags, where the ceremony was held in the presence of Kenyan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Peter Nicholas Ojigo and a delegation from the Kenyan Embassy in Riyadh. IMCTC Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi said Kenya’s membership is a positive step by Nairobi, and expresses the importance of international participation in combating terrorism and extremist violence. Al-Moghedi stressed that Kenya — with its various religious and cultural components and its strategic East African location — will play a big role as an IMCTC member, with its effective record combating terrorism. IMCTC member states work to coordinate, unify and reinforce efforts to combat the financing and supporting of terrorism. In December 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of the coalition to form a unified pan-Islamic front against extremist violence. The chiefs of staff from various Islamic countries met in Riyadh in March 2016 and affirmed their determination to fight terrorism jointly according to their capabilities within the IMCTC framework, as per its policies and procedures, without compromising the sovereignty of member states. In 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated the first meeting of the coalition under the theme “Allied Against Terrorism.” The meeting stressed that terrorism represents a continued and growing threat to local and global peace and stability, and voiced support for IMCTC members to coordinate efforts to wipe out terrorism ideologically, financially and militarily.