Kenya to receive Ksh450M seized from graft suspects Gichuru, Okemo

The funds, which were confiscated by Jersey authorities in 2016, will be channelled towards supporting Kenya's COVID-19 response efforts.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Government of Jersey said the millions of shillings, all from proceeds of corruption and crime in Kenya, were seized following the successful conviction of a company associated with Mr. Gichuru, Windward Trading Ltd, for money laundering offences.

The multilateral initiative to recover the stolen assets associated with secretive offshore banking involved collaboration between authorities in Kenya, the UK, and Switzerland and Jersey.

"The Framework for the Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime in Kenya (FRACCK) is a multilateral initiative involving Kenya, the UK, and Switzerland and Jersey. 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," reads the statement in part.

In conjunction with Jersey Overseas Aid, two third-party suppliers, Crown Agents and Amref Health Africa, were selected to deliver the COVID-19 response programs.

90% of the funds will be set aside for 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. We have already prosecuted the Jersey company involved for money laundering offences, and continue to support the ongoing extradition proceedings by the prosecuting authority in Kenya to bring the individuals responsible to justice," said Her Majesty’s Attorney General for Jersey, Mark Temple QC.

On his part, Kenya High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Ambassador Manoah Esipisu hailed the move, adding that the utilization of the repatriated funds will go a long way in hastening the realization of Universal Health care (UHC) program.

"The signing of ARA is historic since is signifies Kenya’s Government unwavering commitment to fighting corruption in all its manifestation. The repatriation of the £3M signifies that there is nowhere in the world for corruption individuals to hide their loot,” said Esipisu.

In November last year, the Supreme Court of Kenya allowed the Director of Public Prosecutions to proceed with extradition proceedings that could see Gicheru and Okemo face up to 14 years in jail in the UK if convicted of theft and money laundering charges.

The two are accused of accepting bribes from foreign businesses that won tenders at Kenya Power with the proceeds being allegedly hidden in offshore bank accounts in Jersey.