- Money laundering in Kenya is rampant and occurs in the formal and informal sectors, according to a new report.
- Kenya has now been listed as one of the global hotbeds for money laundering due to its insufficient controls on the circulation of dirty cash and the lack of laws against terrorism financing.
- The report which was published on Friday by the United States Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
An aerial view of Nairobi City
Kenya has moved from being the hub of financial services in East Africa to being the hotbed for money laundering, according to a new report.
The report which was published on Friday by the United States Department of State Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs says money laundering in Kenya is rampant and occurs in the formal and informal sectors.
Foreign Affairs Officer Alan Piracha of the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
As a result, the country has put Kenya on the list of global hotspots for money laundering, citing insufficient controls on the circulation of dirty cash and the lack of laws against terrorism financing.
“Kenya remains vulnerable to money laundering and financial fraud,” says the report.
Money laundering is said to be fuelled by domestic and foreign criminal operations. Kenya’s vibrant financial system is a magnet for money laundering.
“It is the financial hub of East Africa, its banking and financial sectors are growing in sophistication, and it is at the forefront of mobile banking.”
“Banks, wire services, and mobile payment and banking systems are increasingly available in Kenya. Nevertheless, unregulated networks of hawaladars and other unlicensed remittance systems facilitate cash-based, unreported transfers that the government cannot track,” it said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta with Deputy President William Ruto captured with wads of cash.
Nations that are classified as havens for money laundering by the US attract scrutiny from global financial players and banks while investors are likely to carry out additional checks on payments involving entities from listed jurisdictions.
The domestic and foreign criminal operations are said to engage in “criminal activities including transnational organised crime, cybercrime, corruption, smuggling, trade invoice manipulation, illicit trade in drugs and counterfeit goods, trade in illegal timber and charcoal, and wildlife trafficking,” according to the report.
Afghan dealers wait for customers at a money market in Kandahar province.
Kenya’s proximity to Somalia also makes it an attractive location for laundering piracy-related proceeds, the report stated.
The report prepared annually by the US Department of State has been presented to the US Congress.
City hall where Nairobi County government offices are located
The report noted that while Kenyan banks are subject to Know your customer (KYC) and STR (Suspicious Transaction Reports) rules and have enhanced due diligence procedures in place for PEPs (politically exposed persons) more needs to be done.
“While Kenya has made strides in implementing an AML framework, challenges remain to achieving comprehensive, effective implementation of AML laws and regulations,” it said.
“Kenya should fully satisfy its commitments on good governance, anti-corruption efforts, and improvements to its AML regime,” it added.
Kenya now joins the likes of Somalia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Afghanistan, Belize and Panama, etc. as some of the countries and jurisdictions listed in the “Primary Jurisdictions of Concern” which calls for more attention.
Tell your friends
Subscribe to "BI" newsletter
Join 10,000 others, get the latest African business trends, profiles and news straight to your inbox
SEND ME UPDATES
LIKE PULSE NIGERIAFOLLOW PULSE NIGERIA
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
WhatsApp: +2349055172167
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
The Navy's new $13 billion supercarriers have a high-tech feature that is apparently driving Trump crazy
Published Yesterday at 8:29 PM
Trump says his father was 'born in a very wonderful place in Germany' — but Fred Trump was actually born in New York City
Published Last Tuesday at 10:06 PM
'A terrible, terrible thing:' NASA said India's satellite destruction created so much space junk it now threatens the safety of the International Space Station
Published Last Tuesday at 11:43 AM
Joe Biden finally speaks out in on-camera statement about inappropriate behavior with women
Published Yesterday at 9:37 PM
Africa's foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, says Northern leaders should dream big and make use of their abundant human, mineral and agricultural potentials
Published Yesterday at 6:05 PM
Kenya moves from being East Africa’s financial hub to a hotbed for money laundering and gets listed by the US
Published Last Tuesday at 1:15 PM
Meet Blinkist, The App That All The CEOs LoveBlinkist|
Sponsored
U.S. Dentist: You Can Now Get Pearly White Teeth like CelebritiesSnow|
Sponsored
Top 11 Cancer Causing Foods You Should AvoidNutrition Expert|
Sponsored
13 Worst Foods For Arthritis To Ban From Your FridgeOrganic Welcome|
Sponsored
Foods You Should Never Eat After Age 30Food Eat Safe|
Sponsored
Teleology: Meet the new owners of 9mobileTeleology Holdings Limited receives a clean sheet to run of Nigeria's fourth-largest telecoms company, 9mobile.Pulse Business Insider Nigeria
© 2019 pulse.ng
Adeola Sowemimo makes history, becomes the first Nigerian female pil
