10 cash firm chiefs quizzed in probe

At least 10 individuals and owners of money transfer agencies on Monday appeared before counter-terrorism detectives.

Among the first to appear before the officers was Mr Hussein Haji Jama, the CEO of Amal Express Money Transfer Ltd in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

He was asked to give information on the owners and associates of the company.

“We were told to supply registration documents of the companies and our past communication. One of the allegations was that we facilitated the transfer of money by terrorist groups. I am confident we will be cleared soon,” said Mr Jama.

Raf International University Director Mohamed Osman maintained that he had always been against radicalisation and denied any links to Al-Shabaab or similar groups.

Dr Osman told the government to deal with terrorism the way other countries did.

“Ethiopia has forces in Somalia but does not suffer attacks. I am confident that we will be cleared,” he told journalists at the National Counter-Terrorism Information Centre in South C.

Last week, the government froze the accounts of some foreign exchange bureaus and hawalas and directed 86 entities and individuals to appear before detectives from Monday to April 17 to answer questions on their perceived Al-Shabaab links.

They were required to fill forms with details of their background and the nature of businesses they were involved in.

Among the bureaus in question are Tawakal Money Transfer, Dahabshiil Money Transfer Company Ltd, Hodan Global Money Transfer Ltd and Juba Express Money Transfer Ltd.

Others are Bakaal Express Money Transfer Ltd, Sky Forex Ltd, Kendy Money Transfer Ltd.

Other companies on the list are E Coach Company Ltd, City to City Services, Sabrin Bus Services, Haki Africa, Agency for Peace and Development and Ibrahim Kobia alias Kamukunji.

The bureaus and companies have remained closed since last week.

Their accounts were frozen for scrutiny.

Mr Lyndon-Marc Adade, the external director of Dahabshiil Group on Monday said the firm was concerned by the allegations and action taken by the Central Bank of Kenya.

DEVASTATING

The suspension of services could be counter-productive and would be devastating for a large number of people, especially those who rely on remittances.

“We are of the opinion that the Kenyan supervisory agency’s decision to apply a blanket suspension on Somali money transfer business is misguided.

“The country must do everything within its power to tackle all terrorist threats,” he said.

Dahabshiil, which operates in 126 countries, was issued with a licence on November 19, 2013.

It was the first company in Kenya to be issued with a money transfer licence.