Money laundering culprits to pay Ksh 5M penalty as new law takes effect

President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed into law the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill 2017, a legislation aimed at combating economic crimes.

“This is a major tool in our sustained efforts to fight corruption. It means that no proceeds of theft and corruption are beyond the reach of the State,” President Kenyatta said at the signing.

The amended legislation introduces fresh measures on punishment for economic crimes.

In addition to the identification, tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds of crime, the new law imposes stiff penalty on culprits.

It recommends that a person who fails to comply with it will be liable to a monetary penalty not exceeding Ksh 5 million while the penalty for a corporate body will not exceed Ksh 25 million.

The amended law adds that in the case of continued failure, the person or reporting institution shall be liable to an additional monetary penalty of Ksh 10 million per day on which such failure continues for a maximum period of 180 days.

The new legislation also formalises the establishment of the Assets Recovery Agency, which will handle all cases of recovery of the proceeds of crime or benefits accruing from money laundering.

President Kenyatta also signed into law the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2017.

The Supplementary Appropriation Act authorizes the release of Ksh 46.2 billion from the Consolidated Fund for use by the Government to fulfill its financial obligations for the remaining part of the financial year which ends on June 30.