Kenya’s Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has recorded its largest haul since 2021, seizing Sh1.547 billion worth of cash, luxury vehicles, apartments, and other properties from scammers and corrupt public servants during the 2023-2024 financial year.
The agency recovered Sh865 million in liquid assets and Sh682 million in immovable properties, filing 29 cases to forfeit assets valued at Sh530 million.
The seized items include 19 motor vehicles, multiple apartments, land parcels, and over Sh500 million in bank accounts, generating Sh26.2 million in rental income from preserved properties.
Notable cases include businessman Anthony Kepha Odiero losing Sh34 million and luxury vehicles, and former county payroll manager Livingstone Kiptoo Tanui forfeiting 24 land parcels after inflating his salary.
The recoveries come amid Kenya’s placement on the Financial Action Task Force’s ‘grey list” for struggling to combat money laundering, with many cases involving elaborate gold scams targeting foreign nationals. Kenya has strengthened international cooperation through agreements with Switzerland, UK,
Jersey, Mozambique, and Seychelles.
