Anti-Money Laundering Bill: Kenyan Gov't To Tap Phone Calls, Emails In Fight Against Dirty Money

• The Cabinet approved the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws in efforts to fight dirty money
• It introduces several measures to detect and prevent money laundering activities in Kenya, including reporting suspicious transactions
• Authorities will be mandated to report suspicious transactions and activities to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) promptly

The government will tap phone calls and emails of suspects if Kenyan lawmakers approve the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Terrorism Financing Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

What are Anti-Money Laundering Bill proposals?

If the proposals in the bill are approved, the authorities will have unfettered access to private communications of suspects in efforts to tame money laundering and financing of terrorism.

"Where a person is suspected or accused of an offence under this Act, the privacy of a person’s communications may be investigated or otherwise interfered with," the bill states, according to a document by parliament.

A statement released by The Presidency noted the bill introduces several measures to detect and prevent money laundering activities in Kenya, including reporting suspicious transactions.

"Reporting entities will get the mandate to report suspicious transactions and activities to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) promptly. The FRC will analyse the reports and share intelligence with relevant law enforcement agencies that will, in turn, initiate investigations and take appropriate actions against money laundering perpetrators," it said.

Cabinet approves Anti-laundering bill

In July, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said the move was a major step by the country in enhancing its financial integrity by introducing several measures.

The Bill seeks to review all existing anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing laws.

He said the government knew of the risk money laundering posed to Kenya's financial integrity.

Mohamed said Kenya would continue to strengthen the anti-money laundering framework to safeguard its global competitiveness and foster the development of its economy.

KeRRA employee in KSh 21m money laundering case

On Thursday, August 17, TUKO.co.ke reported the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission obtained orders to freeze a bank account of Daniel Wambua that had KSh 21.2 million.

Wambua said the amount was raised by well-wishers for his dowry and had accumulated to over KSh 26 million after a week of freezing his account.

Lawyer Danstan Omari said that EACC's move to freeze Wambua's account had made him take a wife on loan.