The Government of Kenya and Jersey have signed an Asset and Recovery Agreement that will see the return of Ksh 450 million in seized proceeds of corruption.
The agreement was signed between the Attorney General of Jersey Mark Temple QC and the Kenya High Commissioner to United Kingdom Ambassador Manoah Esipisu.
The funds were confiscated by Jersey authorities in 2016, following the successful conviction of Windward Trading Ltd for money laundering offences.
The illegal funds expected to be channelled back into the country will be used to support the Government’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic after a decision by the Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK).
The FRACCK was signed in the presence of former UK Prime Minister Theresa May in August 2018, by the President of Switzerland H.E Alain Berset, during his official visit to Kenya in July 2018, and by Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, in his official visit to Kenya in December 2018.
With the assistance of Jersey Overseas Aid, two third-party suppliers were selected to deliver these programmes in Kenya namely: Crown Agents and Amref Health Africa.
The ARA sets out that 90% of the funds will be allocated to the procurement of essential medical equipment, including Intensive Care Units and hospital beds, through Crown Agents.
The remaining 10% of the funds will support a community-based project with Amref Health Africa, which will strengthen healthcare worker capacity and enhance home-based care.
“I am delighted that we have concluded this agreement to return these funds to Kenya to support their efforts in combating Covid-19,” said Senator Ian Gorst, Jersey’s Minister for External Relations.
“Corruption is not a victimless crime”. It has both direct and indirect consequences for people living in countries where corrupt practices have taken place.
He noted that the signing of the agreement showed that Jersey does not tolerate financial crime and that our officers will confiscate monies associated with corruption and ensure that such funds are returned for the benefit of the people who have suffered from the effects of corruption.
“The signing of ARA is historic since it signifies Kenya’s Government’s unwavering commitment to fighting corruption in all its manifestation. The repatriation of the £3M signifies that there is nowhere in the world for corrupt individuals to hide their loot,”
said Manoah Esipisu.
“The Government of Kenya is committed to working with partners such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Jersey, to realise the aspiration of FRACCK. Other countries could learn best practices in tracking and repatriation of illicit funds from the implementation of this FRACCK initiative,” he added.
On his part, the Head of Public Service of Kenya, Dr. Joseph Kinyua said the preliminary Asset Sharing Agreement was signed on the 3rd March 2017, between the Government of Kenya and the Government of Jersey, paving the way for the process.
“It is appreciated that the initial intention was to undertake projects within the energy sector, but following the onset of Covid-19, the Steering Committee adopted a pragmatic resolution to support project interventions within the health sector, noting the ramifications of the pandemic not only in Kenya but across all nations,”
Head of Public Service of Kenya, Dr. Joseph Kinyua.
Article first published on https://www.kbc.co.ke/kenya-to-receive-ksh-450-million-seized-in-jersey/