https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/124833-inside-new-strategy-hunt-money-laundering-cartels-after-high-level-security-meeting

Kenya's top security agencies have agreed on a new coordinated strategy to intensify the crackdown on money laundering cartels as the country seeks to exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

In a high-level meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 1, the security officials agreed that Kenya will adopt a whole-of-government approach in dealing with wash-wash cartels.

In a communique obtained by Kenyans.co.ke, the attendees of the meeting were Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohammed Amin and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Abdi Mohamud.

The officials agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, improve coordinated investigations and speed up prosecution of suspects linked to money laundering and related crimes.

Among those targeted in the latest crackdown are individuals involved in fake gold deals, forged investment schemes and cross-border financial fraud.

According to the officials, agencies will tighten operational collaboration to close gaps that have previously allowed wash wash syndicates to exploit weaknesses in enforcement and regulatory systems.

A key focus of the strategy is improving inter-agency data sharing and harmonising financial crime statistics under the FATF Immediate Outcomes framework.

During the meeting, the officials noted that consistent and verifiable data will be critical in proving Kenya’s progress toward meeting international anti-money laundering standards.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for an upcoming face-to-face evaluation with the Africa Joint Group, which will assess Kenya’s implementation of remaining reforms under its FATF Action Plan.

Officials emphasised that failure to meet the required benchmarks could delay Kenya’s removal from the grey list, which has implications for foreign investment, banking credibility, and cross-border transactions.

The security chiefs further pledged to strengthen asset recovery efforts, targeting proceeds of crime linked to wash-wash operations and ensuring swift forfeiture of illegally acquired wealth.

With pressure mounting, officials expressed confidence that the renewed coordination framework will close enforcement loopholes and significantly disrupt the operations of financial crime networks.