State recovers Sh3 billion corruption loot

Interior CS Fred Matiangi (L) and Attorney General Paul Kihara during National Anti-Corruption Conference 2019 at Bomas of Kenya on 25/01/2019. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

The Government has recovered at least Sh3 billion looted through corruption and money laundering schemes in the past two years.

And at least 700 graft cases are being investigated with the hope of making similar recoveries. This was revealed yesterday during an anti-money laundering workshop in Nairobi by Attorney General Paul Kihara.

In a speech read on his behalf by Asset Recovery Agency Director Muthoni Kimani during the workshop, Kihara said the State had managed to freeze assets stolen through corrupt deals.

Key among them is Sh1.2 billion illegally obtained by looters in the National Youth Service (NYS) scandals.

“We have recovered at least Sh3 billion. We are continuing with investigations into the NYS case,” said Mr Kihara.

He added that the war on corruption had been renewed through the establishment of the task force on Anti-Money Laundering in 2015.

The task force, according to Kihara, has been responsible for increased arrests and prosecutions.

It is chaired by the Treasury Cabinet secretary. Membership is drawn from law enforcement agencies as well as private sector players.